Match Tools: How Atlanta collects three points in the first meeting with St. Louis CITY SC

Atlanta United continues its road trip Saturday night when it travels to St. Louis for the first time in franchise history to take on St. Louis CITY SC. The 5 Stripes are coming off a 1-0 road win at DC United midweek, which gave the team two straight road wins. The hosts lost 3-0 at home to the Colorado Rapids and currently sit in 12th place in the Western Conference. Atlanta climbed to ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings following this victory. Another win on Saturday would give Atlanta another boost as we approach the end of June. Let’s take a look at the match tools presented by Home Depot against St. Louis CITY SC.

Next man mentality and commitment to each other

Atlanta United’s roster for the current road trip is different from the roster that started the season. Whether via transfer, UEFA Euro 2024, Copa America or injury, the team has received great contributions from the next man up. This mentality also means that available players must be fully committed to each other and the team. This was evident in the match against DC United in midweek. In this competition, local central defenders Efrain Morales and Noah Cobb started and played the full 90 minutes, helping the team get a clean sheet. At the end of this match, five local players were on the field to close out the victory. That next man up mentality will be tested again on Saturday as Thiago Almada will miss the match due to accumulating yellow cards. If the 5 Stripes can continue to benefit from big contributions from their depth players, the team has a chance to get three more points on the road in St. Louis.

Don’t play to the St. Louis team’s strengths

After bursting onto the scene during its inaugural campaign last year, St. Louis is looking to return to the same form this season. They play a similar style of play to the New York Red Bulls with high pressure on the pitch. This press can create turnovers in dangerous situations. They have quality players who can take advantage of these situations. Brazilian striker Joao Klauss once again leads the team with five goals scored. Midfielder Eduard Löwen is tied for the team lead with three assists and has created the most chances (28) among St. Louis’ active players. If Atlanta can be clean with the ball at the back and find gaps in the St. Louis press when they come up, they can take advantage with quick counterattacks and come away with a positive result.

Continue to play solid defense and limit St. Louis’ shooting chances

Coming off a clean sheet at DC United, Atlanta looks to keep that defensive momentum going. Brad Guzan made four saves to earn the clean sheet and was rewarded with a place on the MLS Matchday 21 squad. Derrick Williams was a solid veteran at the back, linking up with two locals in the midweek game. One of the keys to success Saturday will be limiting St. Louis’ shooting chances. The hosts rank first in total shots (309) and seventh in shots on target (99). Five of St. Louis’ 23 goals came on corner kicks. If Atlanta’s defense can limit defensive set pieces and shooting chances, they will have a good chance of getting more points on the road Saturday night.

Fans can catch MLS Season Pass on Apple TV Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. ET when the action kicks off at CITYPARK in St. Louis, Missouri. To hear the action on the radio, tune into Sports Radio 92.9 The Game (English) or La Mejor – AM 1600 (Spanish).