Match Preview: Atlanta United vs. FC Dallas (with Nathan Hill of Afterburn Soccer)
Atlanta United vs. FC Dallas
Date: April 5, 2025; 7:30pm EST
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (42,500 Capacity)
Tickets: https://www.atlutd.com/tickets/single-matches
How to Watch: Apple TV - MLS Season Pass
Atlanta United are trying to build off of momentum from their 4-3 home win against NYCFC last week, while forgetting the defensive mistakes that caused them issues. FC Dallas enter the match on a hotter run, with two straight wins against Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City. Which team can get a much-needed result in the tight mid-table dogfights of the Eastern and Western Conferences?
As always, we have a special guest joining to review the opposition, and this week it’s Nathan Hill at Afterburn Soccer!
History
Atlanta United (9 Goals For) 2-1-2 (7 Goals For) FC Dallas
The most memorable game from this uncommon matchup was its first matchup, where Atlanta won 3-0 in their first game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium back in 2017. Since then, the teams have shared the spoils on points earned. The last matchup on September 3, 2023 saw the match end in a 2-2 draw, in which both Giorgos Giakoumakis and Paul Arriola scored.
Injury Report
Atlanta United
OUT - Pedro Amador, Edwin Mosquera, Derrick Williams
QUESTIONABLE - Aleksey Miranchuk
FC Dallas
OUT - Marco Farfan, Geovane Jesus, Paxton Pomykal
Lineup Predictions:
Atlanta -
Calum: With Williams and Amador on the injured list this week, Hernandez and Luis Abram fill in on the left. That will be the weak side of Atlanta’s defense that Dallas may exploit. I could also see Edwards at left back if Deila goes that route, or recent Homegrown signing Dominik Chong Qui.
Miranchuk is questionable, but I believe he will play. I don’t think Deila wants to give up on him at the 10 so early in the year, especially against FC Dallas attackers that could exploit his lack of defensive skills at the 8, so instead I think he’ll keep Saba on the right where he has been best and put Almiron on the left for better spacing. This should allow Miranchuk to find more space in the 18, like how he scored his first goal last week.
If Miranchuk cannot play, expect Almiron at the 10 and Xande Silva on the left wing. If he performs well there, there could be major questions for the lineup when Miranchuk returns, but those are good questions to have.
Slisz hasn’t performed particularly well so far this year, so Fortune may be called on to hold the 6 and move the ball around like he did very well in last week’s win. Klich stays in over Slisz so that the team is more direct.
Dallas -
Nathan: Anderson Julio should return to the starting lineup after spending a couple of weeks away, not due to injury, but to get his green card. He will help stretch Atlanta’s defense vertically with his speed. He may be the early MVP of the season for FC Dallas so far. Slot him in place of Leo Chu, despite Chu getting a goal last week.
Nolan Norris will start at left back again with Marco Farfan out after surgery for two months.
Lucho Acosta and Petar Musa are living up to their billing as offensive weapons. Their chemistry is growing, which is a big problem for every team they will face.
The only wild card is Kaick, a young defensive midfielder from Gremio who made his debut as a substitute last week. He is highly regarded. Could he get a start over Ramiro or Delgado? It’s unlikely, but it is possible. FC Dallas has definitely needed more for their midfield in the first few games in 2025, as they struggle to retain possession for stretches of the games.
Analysis/Predictions:
Atlanta (Calum) -
Atlanta received a much needed win at home this past week, but not without struggle and with lingering problems. Defensive mistakes are still killing this team, as all 3 goals came from mishaps: 2 from Derrick Williams who is now hurt, and 1 from Dominik Chong-Qui. Add those 3 to the goals allowed versus Charlotte and Miami, and it plagues a team that generally keeps its defensive shape well. Missing Pedro Amador and Williams to injury, can they avoid mistakes today? I’m not so sure. I’m also worried for how the paring of Gregersen and Abram handles attacking play from Dalla’s star duo of Peter Musa and former MLS MVP Lucho Acosta. Their combination play is ridiculously good and will be hard to shut down.
However, Atlanta has weapons of their own in the attack. Saba Lobjanidze has been absolutely fantastic on the right wing as of late, and Emmanuel Latte Lath’s 5 goals and 1 assist in 6 matches have carried this team to where they are now. He is as good as he was billed to be, and I’m not so sure Dalla’s backline can handle him.
There are many different ways Atlanta could line up to get the best out of their stars, but no matter what they do they should be able to threaten the away side and control possession at home per usual (which Dallas will allow, as away from home they like to play on the counter). If Miguel Almiron stays in form himself after last week’s first goal since 2018 with the club, and if Jamal Thiare and Tristan Muyumba can boost the team off the bench (they both returned from injury this week), Atlanta can get a win.
Prediction: 3-2 Atlanta United
Dallas should be able to hurt United the counter in some way or form, and I expect them to score at least one on a not-first choice backline, but United’s attack profiles too well with Latte Lath and Saba’s form. Both should add to their tallies and Atlanta should see out a close and exciting victory.
Dallas (Nathan) -
For FC Dallas, unbeaten on the road, the consensus is that there are points to be had in Atlanta. Both teams have some similarities, coming off disappointing years, installing new coaches, and figuring out new rosters. The attacking potential for both rosters is unrealized, and at the same time, the defenses are a clear work in progress. So early in the season, could both of these teams be in the playoff picture coming the fall? Or could they be biding time for the summer transfer window for another player or two to raise their prospects?
FC Dallas’ tactics under new head coach Eric Quill have been a lot about vibes (a “dawg” mentality) and taking your chances. At home against Sporting Kansas City, for instance, they were out-possessed and out-shot. And yet, they won. On the road, that strategy has been really good, as they go in with an aggressive mentality, look to win the ball and counter, and then try to see out the game. Quill is vocal that he wants all three points, especially on the road.
In short, this could be a wide-open game for both teams.
On our podcast on Afterburn Soccer, two contributors predicted a draw, which would be great for FC Dallas, and the other predicted an outright win. A loss is just as possible though as FC Dallas is still figuring the best lineup and approach.
Prediction: 2-2 Draw
I think a fun draw is the best possibility, 2-2, as points are shared and both teams continue to sort out their future under new head coaches.