Atlanta United Seeks First Road Win Against Red Bulls

HARRISON, New Jersey — Atlanta United is looking to secure its first road win of the season as they face the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. The Five Stripes, with a current record of 4-7-5, have struggled historically at Red Bull Arena, having never won there in franchise history.

The importance of the match isn’t lost on head coach Ronny Deila, who stated a victory would be “massive” for the team, especially as they enter a stretch of six consecutive away matches. Atlanta United arrives with momentum, having recently ended an eight-match winless streak with back-to-back victories.

Despite their recent success, Atlanta remains five points shy of the final playoff position, currently held by Charlotte. “We have everything to go for, to attack, and I see the group in a very good place,” Deila explained. “We just have to build on what has been, leave everything on the pitch.”

Atlanta United’s struggles at Red Bull Arena are evident, where they hold a record of 0-5-3, scoring only three goals and conceding 11. Deila suggested their opponent’s aggressive playing style has historically posed challenges for Atlanta. “Hopefully we can change something on that,” he said, acknowledging the need to adapt tactically.

The Red Bulls, who currently sport a record of 7-6-3 and are 6-1-1 at home this season, employ a high-energy strategy similar to previous years but also incorporate more tactical play, according to Deila. “There’s no easy way to play against them when they just destroy you and catch you on your mistakes,” he added.

This match will be significant not only for playoff implications but also for player performance. Deila hinted at making adjustments to the lineup to maintain player freshness, as the match follows a busy schedule. “The positive is that we have a strong squad, so we’ll see what we do,” he said.

Adding to the stakes, goalkeeper Brad Guzan recently celebrated his 250th club appearance during Wednesday’s win over Orlando, solidifying his status as a key player for Atlanta. Meanwhile, two Atlanta United players, Luke Brennan and Noah Cobb, received call-ups to the U.S. Under-20s for an upcoming friendly in Egypt.

Atlanta United will aim to break their road losing streak against a competitive Red Bulls side, marking an essential chapter in their quest for playoff contention.