Pre-match resources: How Atlanta can win at home and extend the series against Inter Miami CF
It feels good to come home after three straight road games for Atlanta United last week. The 5-Stripes will host Inter Miami CF in Game 2 of the Round One Best-of-3 series. After dropping the opening match by the slimmest of margins (2-1), the team is excited to get back home and play in front of the loudest and loudest crowd in MLS. Atlanta must win, both in regulation and on penalty kicks, to force a Game 3 in Fort Lauderdale next week. Let’s take a look at the Tools to the Match presented by Home Depot vs. Inter Miami CF.
Full location magic needed another go
Mercedes-Benz Stadium can be one of the most intimidating stadiums to play in. Especially when capacity is maximum and all levels of the stands are open. Visiting players know it and feel it. The 5-Stripes know it and feel it too. In the play-offs, that energy and emotions are taken a step further. In the club’s eight-year history, Atlanta has played five full-capacity playoff games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The team is 4-0-1 (WLT) in those games and has defeated its opponents 9-1 in those five games. It’s time to add another resounding victory to the ledger this weekend.
Energize the crowd from the opening whistle
One of the keys to victory on Saturday evening will be the start of the match. At the last timeout, Miami took an early lead in the second minute. Atlanta needs to do a better job of staying focused from the opening whistle. If they can do that and feed off the energy that the capacity crowd brings, it would go a long way toward victory on Saturday night. That doesn’t necessarily mean the team has to score right away. Sometimes a clean tackle, a hasty move to keep a ball in play or a good pressing action to recover the ball high up the pitch can send the crowd into a roaring frenzy. The 5-Stripes should fuel every ounce of energy the 17’s will bring to this match this weekend.
Atlanta, you must be the 12th man on Saturday evening
After a long and grueling season so far, it comes down to a win on Saturday night to keep the season going. If the legs get tired on Saturday, the team will need the support of the crowd to keep pushing and running. That home advantage is the best in the MLS and the team will need that again on Saturday to beat a top team like Miami. Come out early. Be loud. Be Rowdy. Be proud.
