Match Tools: How Atlanta gets back to winning ways at home against Toronto FC this weekend

Atlanta United returns home Saturday night when they host Toronto FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. After a successful two-match road trip in which all 5 bands picked up four points, the team looks to continue that momentum with a home win this weekend. Toronto has been a tough opponent for Atlanta in the past, as the visitors own the all-time 6-4-6 (WL-T) advantage heading into the weekend. Atlanta’s unbeaten streak in the last three games has propelled the team to ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Toronto is only one place and three points ahead of the 5 cushions, which gives a little more meaning to Saturday’s match. Earlier this year, Toronto earned a 2-0 home win over Atlanta. Let’s take a look at the match tools presented by Home Depot against Toronto FC.

Continue to rely on solid defense and limit shots on target

Atlanta United’s defense has been solid throughout the season. Despite some moving parts in the backline due to injuries and international call-ups, Atlanta is among the league leaders in several defensive categories. The team faced just 92 shots on target, which was the eighth fewest in the league. The team has also limited opponents to just 17 clear-cut chances this season, which is the fourth fewest in the league this weekend. These numbers are all the more impressive given that locals Noah Cobb (18) and Caleb Wiley (19) have already played more than 1,000 minutes this season. If Atlanta can continue to be strong along the backline and limit Toronto’s clear scoring chances, they should be in a good position to earn points on Saturday.

Match with the intensity and quality of Toronto in the final third

Toronto started the season in good form under new head coach John Herdman. He had 10 points in his first five games. Since then, their form has declined as they occupy eighth place in the Eastern Conference with 24 points in 20 matches. They still have two of the most dynamic players in the league in Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi. Bernardeschi has notably been influential for Toronto this season. He leads the team in almost every offensive category this season, including goals (7), assists (5), shots on target (27) and key passes (42). Usually cutting in from the right side onto his dangerous left foot, Bernardeschi can make things happen with very little. Insigne has four goals and four assists in limited time this season. If Atlanta wants to win at home, they will first have to eliminate the Italian duo.

Score early and get the fans behind you

While the 5 sides have scored 26 goals this season, only one of them has been scored in the first 15 minutes. If you extend that to the first 30 minutes, the team has only managed three goals so far this season. Atlanta needs to come out on Saturday and put Toronto under pressure from the opening whistle and get the crowd involved from the start. When the team managed to score and take the lead at halftime, the 5 bands are a perfect 40-0 in these matches this season. Saturday offers another opportunity to score an early goal and get three points at home for the first time since late March.

Fans can catch MLS Season Pass on Apple TV Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET when the action begins at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. To hear the action on the radio, tune into Sports Radio 92.9 The Game (English) or La Mejor – AM 1600 (Spanish).