2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 6
Atlanta United vs. Nashville SC
Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta
August 22 – 7:00 PM ET
STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada
LOCAL TV: FOX Sports South, MyTV30
After securing four points from a pair of road games in five days against FC Dallas, Nashville SC will hope to keep the momentum going, and earn a measure of revenge, when they meet Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Saturday night.
The sides met back in February to kick off the season. It was Nashville SC's first MLS match and it was played in front of nearly 60,000 fans at Nissan Stadium. Ezequiel Barco and Emerson Hyndman scored to make sure the Five Stripes spoiled the party.
Nearly six months later, Nashville is the team in better form coming in, with Atlanta United looking to put a disappointing MLS is Back Tournament behind them.
Atlanta United
The arrived in Orlando as an MLS is Back Tournament favorite. They left after the group stage without scoring a goal and following the three defeats, Atlanta United and manager Frank de Boer mutually parted ways. Stephen Glass is the caretaker manager and he's already receiving rave reviews from the Atlanta players.
"People think of Atlanta United as this attacking team, exciting team," goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. "That’s what we want to be as players, so now Glassy and his staff, they’re now giving the freedom and the responsibility to the players to go in and express themselves and be forward-thinking players, be positive-playing players."
With Josef Martinez still recovering from ACL surgery, Atlanta United added attacking reinforcements via winger Jurgen Damm and forward Erick “Cubo” Torres, who both boast Mexico national team experience..
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Josef Martinez (F) - ACL surgery
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Nashville SC
A first MLS win over FC Dallas was followed by a 0-0 draw Sunday night in a match that actually ended early Monday morning after a nearly three-and-a-half hour delay due to severe weather in Frisco. To earn a 0-0 draw and take the game to the hosts, outshooting them 21-7 with FC Dallas managing just one shot on target, was just the latest example of the expansion side's resolve, according to coach Gary Smith.
"To turn around as quickly as we did, I thought the guys showed some fantastic endeavor again,” Smith said. “To be perfectly honest, it looked and felt as though we had the clearer chances. I think the shot count was 21 if I’m not mistaken. While possession is something you always expect Dallas to take control of, I felt for the most part they really didn’t hurt us in a lot of long-range efforts. Yet again we keep a clean sheet, and we’ve taken four points from the venue that most teams would look at and say that’s a fabulous return. So I’m very, very pleased with the way the guys have acquitted themselves in such incredibly tough circumstances.”
On Monday, Nashville SC announced the signing of US youth international goalkeeper Brady Scott, as first reported by MLSsoccer.com last week.
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Ken Tribbett (D) - calf injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Eric Miller (D) - adductor injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Jimmy Medranda (D) - hip injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Series Matchup
- This is the second all-time meeting between Atlanta United and Nashville SC. Atlanta United won, 2-1, on Feb. 29.
Officials
- Referee: Ted Unkel
- Assistant Referees: Corey Rockwell, Walter Heatherly
- 4th Official: Marcos de Oliveira
- VAR: Chris Penso
