Sabasports Match Preview
Major League Soccer: Atlanta United vs Columbus Crew
Kickoff Time: 2024-07-21 07:30(HKT)
Source: USA TODAY Sports /Joseph Maiorana
After a long away trip, Atlanta United returned to play at home in midweek and ended up drawing 2-2 with New York City FC. Currently, they have gone win–less in their last five games across all competitions, and their performance remains lackluster. In early June, they made a coaching change due to poor results. Following the change, they went unbeaten for four matches, but it seems that the initial success under the new coach has faded. When looking at the statistics for this season, one of Atlanta United’s strengths lies in the number of successful tackles. So far, they have made 265 successful tackles, averaging 10.6 per game. To stop the Columbus Crew’s aggressive attack, timely and accurate tackles will be crucial. A successful tackle in midfield or on a counter-attack has the potential to ignite the passion of the crowd at the Mercedes-Benz Dome. Unfortunately, their main right back, Brooks Lennon, will be unavailable due to a suspension caused by accumulating five yellow cards. Lennon is one of the players with the most successful crosses in the MLS. In the new coach’s tactical system, he enjoys a high degree of freedom and often poses a direct threat in the opponent’s box.
In their last six games, Columbus Crew have earned 16 points, demonstrating strong competitiveness. This can be attributed to the explosive performance of their offensive line, especially the front trident consisting of Christian Ramirez, Cucho Hernandez and Diego Rossi. Among them, Ramirez poses the greatest threat on the offensive end. Although not a traditional center forward, he plays a vital role in their offense with his exceptional running and skills. His presence not only diversifies their offensive strategies but also creates more space for his teammates. Additionally, Ramirez possesses accurate shooting skills, having scored four goals in the past four matches. In addition to their individual talents, the front three of Columbus Crew display excellent chemistry, frequently assisting each other and significantly enhancing their offensive efficiency and overall strength. So far, the front trident has contributed a total of 27 goals and 14 assists. They serve as their primary attacking force.
Columbus Crew adopt a possession-based offensive style of play, boasting an average ball possession rate of 60% per game, which is the highest in the MLS. Despite being an away game, it is foreseeable that Columbus Crew will have the advantage on the field. We believe they will continue to adhere to an efficient offensive approach, utilizing the seamless cooperation among the front three and the advantages of their overall offensive system to pose a threat to their opponents. Atlanta United, on the other hand, may opt for a defensive counter-attack strategy, aiming to capitalize on the opponent’s mistakes and counter-attacking opportunities. Taking everything into consideration, Columbus Crew are more likely to emerge victorious in this match.
Atlanta United’s Last 5 Games: DLLLL
24-07-18 Atlanta United 2-2 New York City FC
24-07-14 CF Montreal 1-0 Atlanta United
24-07-10 Atlanta United 1-2 Indy Eleven
24-07-07 Real Salt Lake 5-2 Atlanta United
24-07-04 New England Revolution 2-1 Atlanta United
Columbus Crew’s Last 5 Games: DWWWW
24-07-18 Columbus Crew 1-1 Charlotte
24-07-14 Los Angeles FC 1-5 Columbus Crew
24-07-07 Columbus Crew 4-0 Toronto FC
24-07-04 Columbus Crew 2-0 Nashville SC
24-06-30 New England Revolution 1-5 Columbus Crew
Head To Head Record:
24-02-25 Columbus Crew 1-0 Atlanta United
23-11-13 Columbus Crew 4-2 Atlanta United
23-11-08 Atlanta United 4-2 Columbus Crew
23-11-02 Columbus Crew 2-0 Atlanta United
23-10-08 Atlanta United 1-1 Columbus Crew
Prediction: Columbus Crew to win