Rob Valentino is delighted Atlanta United have hit their stride in time for the MLS playoffs and is relishing their Best-of-3 Round One clash with Inter Miami at Chase Stadium.

The Five Stripes overturned the odds on Decision Day to snag a place in the Eastern Conference Wild Card round.

They took a 2-0 lead over CF Montreal before former player Josef Martinez pegged them back to force spot-kicks. Brad Guzan saved one, setting up Saba Lobjanidze to score the winner.

A tough test now awaits them in Miami on Friday, but Valentino is sure they can come up with a plan to get the better of Lionel Messi and co.

"We have worked so hard this season, every training, every game," he said. "Now we're starting to succeed, and it's the best timing in the end of the season to show that. Three in a row is very good! Let's continue!

"I think every time a team plays them, [how to stop Messi is] the question that is asked, right? He's arguably the best player that's ever played.

"We've faced him a few times and we know obviously his qualities. But they've got other players that are good, too. So there has to be a focus on him and also these teammates around him.

"We'll just show up when the game is there, and we'll go to win it."

Meanwhile, Miami, who are playing their first home playoff game, finished the regular season in record-breaking fashion, with their 6-2 victory over New England Revolution taking them to 74 points.

The Supporters' Shield winners are on an 11-match unbeaten streak coming into this match, and head coach Gerardo Martino believes their strong finish will benefit them in the playoffs.

"[The record points total] gives our team an injection of confidence," said Martino.

"These 74 points is not something we aimed for at the start of the year, but as soon as it was within reach, we tried to get it and we did it. It's a triumph for the whole Inter Miami family."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Inter Miami – Lionel Messi

Messi was involved in 1.82 direct goal contributions per 90 minutes this season, his highest rate in a league season in over a decade.

His 11-minute hat-trick off the bench against New England last time out took him to 20 goals for the campaign, adding to his 10 assists, and he is bound to be a threat in the playoffs.

Atlanta United – Saba Lobjanidze

Lobjanidze has come up with big goals throughout the season for Atlanta, but none more so than his match-winning penalty against Montreal on Tuesday.

Though that does not count towards his nine-goal haul for the season, he was still a threat in the Wild Card match, having three shots, two of which were on target, while he also had the most touches in the box among his team-mates (eight).

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

After a resounding end to the season, Miami are unsurprisingly favourites to win the first of the Best-of-3 series, but they have stumbled when coming up against Atlanta as of late, drawing their most recent meeting after two straight defeats.

They lost just twice at Chase Stadium in the regular season (W11 D4), with the most recent of those a 3-1 defeat to the Five Stripes back in May, though they are unbeaten in their eight such matches since.

It is just the second time that Miami have made the playoffs – their only previous playoff match was a 3-0 defeat on the road at New York City FC in Round One in 2022.

Meanwhile, Atlanta are making their fifth appearance in the playoffs. They won the MLS Cup back in 2018, but in their two most recent appearances in the postseason, they have failed to get past Round One, losing to Columbus Crew.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Inter Miami – 62.7%

Draw – 19.8%

Atlanta United – 17.5%

Atlanta United will play Inter Miami in the MLS playoffs after edging past CF Montreal on penalties in an enthralling encounter at the Stade Saputo. 

Atlanta won only their second away playoff game in club history and the first since 2018. They will start a best-of-three series on Friday against Lionel Messi's Miami. 

The visitors took the lead in the 29th minute when Brooks Lennon nodded Pedro Amador's cross beyond Jonathan Sirois, before Stian Gregersen doubled their tally a minute before the interval. 

But Montreal responded after the break, as Josef Martinez reduced the deficit just after the hour-mark against his former employers.

Martinez notched his second, this time from the penalty spot, in the 89th minute after Lennon was brought down by Kwadwo Opoku, with the Venezuelan scoring his eighth goal in six games. 

The winner would be decided on penalties, as Tom Pearce's spot-kick proved decisive with his effort saved by Brad Guzan. That left Saba Lobjanidze to send Atlanta through. 

Data Debrief: No Five Stripes joy for Martinez

It proved to be a gut-wrenching end to the season for Montreal, having ended the contest with more shots (15), more shots on target (seven) and a higher expected goals (xG) tally (1.57) than Atlanta. 

It was even more heartbreaking for Martinez, who almost dealt his former side a hammer blow to their hopes of continuing in the post-season. 

He ended the encounter by having all of Montreal's shots on target, while also registering the most touches in the opposition box (nine) than any other player on the pitch. 

CF Montreal head coach Laurent Courtois says the club "want more" as they look to overcome Atlanta United in the MLS playoffs Eastern Conference Wild Card match.

Montreal had looked unlikely candidates to make the playoffs, having endured a torrid run which saw them win just three of 15 games between June and mid-September.

However, they rallied in their final five games of the regular season, winning four of their final five games to seal eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

Having secured home advantage for the tie, their first playoff game at Saputo Stadium since 2022, Courtois expects his players to be ready for the big match.

"We kind of surprised people already, but Tuesday is just an amazing game, and I'm so proud of these guys and staff, all the people that support us to do something interesting," Courtois told reporters.

"We're pleased to get the playoff spot in front of our fans, but now we want more. There's no cockiness, not too much humbleness. We just go.

"You don't switch on on game day. It just doesn't happen that way. We trust the guys to recover body and mind and be ready for the task against Atlanta."

Meanwhile, Atlanta overturned the odds on decision day to book ninth place on goal difference, as they beat Orlando City 2-1, but also got help as D.C. United and Philadelphia Union both lost.

They have won both of their matches since losing to Montreal at the start of October, and interim head coach Rob Valentino was delighted that they proved people wrong.

"There's a lot of emotions, but mainly joy for the players and staff who have had a tough year," he said.

"It shows that you can do anything if you keep showing up, doing your work, staying resilient, staying persistent.

"I believed in this group until the end, and it feels better after people wrote us off, but we've got ourselves in, and now we need to go and prove ourselves again."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

CF Montreal – Josef Martinez

Atlanta United's all-time leading scorer, Josef Martinez, now playing for Montreal, has scored four goals in 211 all-time minutes against the Five Stripes.

The resulting 1.71 goals per 90 minutes rate is the highest of any player against Atlanta in MLS play (min. 200 minutes played).

Atlanta United – Saba Lobjanidze

Saba Lobjanidze finished the regular season as Atlanta's leading goalscorer, netting nine times, including one in their final match against Orlando City.

He only had two shots in that game, creating just 0.13 expected goals (xG), but converted his big chances, and had the most touches in the box amongst his team-mates (five).

MATCH PREDICTION: CF MONTREAL WIN

This will be the first postseason meeting between CF Montreal and Atlanta United. Montreal won both meetings this season, their first league double over the Five Stripes.

Montreal have won five of their six all-time home playoff matches (L1), though the lone defeat came in their last home playoff match, a 3-1 loss to New York City FC in the 2022 Conference Semifinals.

This will be Atlanta's second single-leg playoff knockout match on the road after losing 2-0 at NYCFC in the 2021 First Round. Atlanta have lost their last four away playoff matches overall, including both games in Columbus in the 2023 First Round.

However, they won their final two matches of the regular season, their first set of back-to-back wins in all competitions since March. The Five Stripes have not won three straight matches in all competitions in over three years, since a three-match run in September 2021.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

CF Montreal – 41.2%

Draw – 26.7%

Atlanta United – 32.2%

Los Angeles FC beat their cross-city rivals, the LA Galaxy, to top spot in the Western Conference on the final day of the MLS regular season, while D.C. United were pipped to a playoff place by Atlanta United.

The Galaxy simply needed to avoid defeat to take the West's number one seed, with LAFC coming from behind to beat the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1.

Having gone behind to an Ezequiel Ponce strike away at the Houston Dynamo, the Galaxy drew level six minutes into second-half stoppage time as MLS Newcomer of the Year favourite Gabriel Pec converted from the penalty spot.

However, former Galaxy defender Daniel Steres headed into the top-left corner 11 minutes into stoppage time to hand LAFC their third conference title, and their second in three seasons.

Elsewhere, there was heartbreak for Troy Lesesne's D.C. side as a 3-0 defeat at home to Charlotte FC saw them slip out of the wild-card places in the Eastern Conference.

That result opened the door to Atlanta, who upset Orlando City with a 2-1 road win to move ahead of D.C. on goal difference and join Montreal in the wild-card round.

Josef Martinez joined Caden Clark on the scoresheet as Montreal beat already-qualified New York City 2-0 at Stade Saputo to finish eighth.

Those results meant the Philadelphia Union missed the postseason for the first time since 2017, as they squandered a 1-0 lead in a 2-1 home loss to FC Cincinnati to finish 12th. 

Atlanta United defender Stian Gregersen is relishing his side’s must-win game against Orlando City this weekend and is confident his team can reach the playoffs.

The Five Stripes go into the final day in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, level on points with Philadelphia Union, and three points behind the cut-off line.

While needing favourable outcomes from the matches involving CF Montreal and D.C. United, Gregersen said the focus must remain on their own performance, while also trying to maintain momentum from their win over the New York Red Bulls last time out.

“I think it's a little bit sad that we had the break because we were so good into this match, but of course, we have to look back at it and keep up,” said Gregersen. “Continue with the confidence we had after this game and continue this weekend, in the training.”

“Every match has its pressure, but this one will be a little bit more special. But we need to focus on ourselves because we know that we have to win.

“After that, we will see what happens with the other teams. I don’t want to know what happens in the other games because we have to win. We can’t control what they are doing. We have to focus on ourselves and then we will see.”

Orlando, meanwhile, have already confirmed their place in the postseason, but are arguably the most in-form team heading into the playoffs.

The Lions’ last fixture before the international break saw them sweep aside FC Cincinnati away from home, earning their sixth win from their last seven MLS games (L1). During that run, they have also scored 19 goals.

Orlando head coach Oscar Pareja understands what is at stake for Atlanta this weekend but highlighted the importance of his team scoring the first goal to control the pace of the game.

“We have found net. We have found answers from our forwards. The offensive side of the team has improved tremendously. I think the compromise that they have had with our defensive phase has brought that product,” Pareja said.  

“It doesn't make sense, but that they are scoring goals because they are defending better, and we are much, much better team when we have this commitment that the boys had up front and we're happy to do it. It's the same as we ask the defenders.

“And I said, you have to be proactive to play with the ball, and you have to have personality to play with the ball because that's the best way to defend, just being offensive. So, I'm very proud of the guys. The guys are doing a good job.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Orlando City – Facundo Torres

Torres has recorded 19 goal contributions this season (14 goals, five assists) tied for the second-most in a single season in Orlando's MLS history.

The only player with a season with 20 or more goal contributions for the Lions was Nani, who recorded 22 goal contributions in the 2019 campaign.

Atlanta United – Saba Lobjanidze 

Lobjanidze enters the final match of the season as Atlanta’s leading scorer with eight goals.

The Five Stripes have had at least one 10-goal scorer in each of the team’s first six full MLS seasons (excluding shortened 2020 season) with at least one player scoring 12 times in each season.

MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN

The last 10 meetings between Orlando and Atlanta have been split, with each side winning three times and drawing four. Neither team has won two consecutive times over those meetings with Atlanta recording a 2-0 home win in the last matchup on March 17.

However, the Lions have won 10 of their last 13 regular-season matches (D1 L2), including the last three in a row. No team has collected more points than Orlando’s 31 since the beginning of July.

Atlanta have 37 points entering the final match of the season. The fewest points the Five Stripes have totalled over a full MLS season (excluding shortened 2020 season) is 40 in 2022.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City – 57.9%

Draw –21.9%

Atlanta United – 20.2%

Atlanta United's interim coach Rob Valentino says results are all that matter at this stage of the MLS season, with the Five Stripes and CF Montreal both in playoff contention ahead of Wednesday's head-to-head meeting.

Atlanta have drawn their last three MLS matches, sharing four goals equally with the Philadelphia Union last weekend, but they are just three points adrift of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Montreal, meanwhile, are only outside the playoff picture by virtue of goal difference, having thrashed the San Jose Earthquakes 3-0 on Saturday.

Asked how he rated Atlanta's playoff hopes with three regular-season games remaining, Valentino said: "We'll see. We've got a home game coming up now against Montreal, and that game is one we've got to win.

"At this stage, we've said to the players that it's just about winning games. We'll see at the end where we're at.

"But we think that last point could be massive. It's not the way we want it to be, not exactly, but the players are showing great fight. Every point is massive at this stage."

Montreal have taken 10 points from their last four league games after losing each of their previous three, with their upturn since the Leagues Cup break convincing midfielder Bryce Duke of their postseason credentials.

"I've been thinking that we can make the playoffs since day one, even though we were going through a tough stretch, and I still think we can make playoffs," Duke said.

"With the performances that we've been giving I think that's just showed you and all the people out there that doubted us that we can do it, that we can prove people wrong."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Atlanta United – Saba Lobjanidze 

Lobjanidze has two goals in his last three outings, including one versus Philadelphia on Saturday. No current Atlanta player can match his eight league goals this term, while his three assists are also a joint-high among Five Stripes players.

CF Montreal – Bryce Duke

Duke had two assists as Montreal thrashed the 'Quakes last weekend, for Josef Martinez and Caden Clark. No Montreal player can match his 38 chances created in MLS play this year.

MATCH PREDICTION – ATLANTA UNITED WIN

Laurent Courtois' visitors enter this game high on confidence following back-to-back wins, but their away record leaves plenty to be desired.

Indeed, they are winless in their last 12 regular-season road matches, drawing four and losing eight, while conceding multiple goals in each of their last eight on their travels.

Atlanta, meanwhile, have only lost one of their six home league games since June 2, going down to Nashville SC earlier this month (two wins, three draws).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Atlanta United – 52%

CF Montreal – 23.5%

Draw – 24.5%

Sandro Schwarz says the New York Red Bulls must change their behaviour amid a disappointing return to MLS action, ahead of Saturday's clash with Atlanta United.

The Red Bulls have not won since MLS returned following the Leagues Cup break, with Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Chicago Fire extending their winless streak to four games.

They have now slipped to fifth in the Eastern Conference and though a playoff berth still looks overwhelmingly likely, the pressure is on as they battle for a home seeding.

"Pressure is normal in professional sports, especially when you lose games like we did, or like the home game against Philly," Schwarz said.

"But we can influence this with our behaviour on the field and off the field, and it starts today. 

"We have to change our behaviour immediately now for the last five games and the pressure is normal. It's also normal to have pressure when you win, for the game after."

Atlanta, meanwhile, are one point outside the playoff picture, having earned a creditable 2-2 draw with Inter Miami in midweek.

"From a tactical point of view maybe it's not the type of soccer we want to play, but in terms of work rate and a commitment to try to win the game, it gets you far. You can't just turn it on or turn it off, it doesn't work that way," interim boss Rob Valentino said.

On the playoff battle, he added: "I think we were one point out of it so I can't sit here and think about being disappointed.

"We move forward, now we're going to have to pick up points on the road."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New York Red Bulls – Dante Vanzeir

Vanzeir recorded his 12th goal involvement of the season as the Red Bulls were beaten in Chicago last time out, teeing up Dennis Gjengaar's equaliser.

His 10 assists in MLS play this term are more than twice that of the next-closest Red Bulls players, with Elias Manoel, Lewis Morgan and Dylan Nealis all having four apiece.

Atlanta United – Aleksey Miranchuk 

Miranchuk's late goal salvaged a draw for Atlanta versus Miami last time out, his first MLS goal in his fourth appearance in the competition. If the Five Stripes are to gatecrash the playoffs, they need him to produce in the coming weeks.

MATCH PREDICTION – NEW YORK RED BULLS WIN

The Red Bulls trounced Atlanta 4-0 at Red Bull Arena when the sides met in this exact fixture last season, and while Atlanta should be more competitive this time around, another home win looks likely.

Saturday's hosts have only lost one of their 14 home matches in MLS play this year, winning seven and drawing six. 

Atlanta, meanwhile, have lost half (7/14) of their road games, and have only won one of their last six matches in all competitions (three draws, two defeats).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

New York Red Bulls – 51.8%

Atlanta United – 23.7%

Draw – 24.6%

Aleksei Miranchuk's stunning late goal salvaged a 2-2 draw for Atlanta United, ending Inter Miami's winning streak.

The visitors brought Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez off the bench in the second half but were unable to make it six wins on the bounce.

Miami had the better of the first half, with Julian Gressel forcing Brad Guzan into an acrobatic save before David Ruiz snuck in behind the hosts' defence to slot a lovely low shot into the bottom-right corner.

In the 56th minute, Saba Lobjanidze met Pedro Amador's whipped cross with a thumping header, nodding it through Drake Callender's legs, and the keeper arguably should have done better.

But just three minutes later, Miami were back in front – Leonardo Campana's free-kick from just outside the box took a huge deflection off the wall, giving the keeper no chance.

Messi led the search for a late third, with his low shot palmed away by Guzan straight into Suarez's path, but Amador was perfectly placed on the line to block it.

Atlanta then went straight up the other end, with Miranchuk floating a wonderful shot into the top-left corner after cutting inside from the right before Lobjanidze's late effort deflected off Ian Fray onto the post.

Miami are now eight points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference, while Atlanta sit in 11th. 

Data Debrief: Campana makes Miami history

Campana may have got a bit of luck with his goal due to a wicked deflection, but he will not care one bit, as that strike was his 30th goal for Miami.

He now becomes the outright all-time leading scorer for the club, overtaking Gonzalo Higuain, though Messi is just three behind him.

Lionel Messi is confident that Inter Miami can clinch the title, with a trip to Atlanta United next up for the Eastern Conference leaders.

The Argentine made his long-awaited return from injury in their 3-1 win over Philadelphia Union, having a hand in all three goals as they opened up a 10-point lead over FC Cincinnati in the table.

It was their fifth consecutive win following their heavy 6-1 loss to Cincinnati, and Messi acknowledged how well the team had performed amid some injury troubles this season.

"As we said at the beginning, we know the squad we have, and the title is our goal," he told Apple TV. "We're realistic and take responsibility for it.

"Unfortunately, we've had a lot of bad luck with injuries this year and were never at full strength for one reason or another. We were always missing players, but the team always managed to push through."

On his own return from an ankle problem he sustained playing in the Copa America final, he said: "It was a lot of time off the field. Little by little, I found myself with the group. I felt good, and that's why we decided that I would start. I am very happy."

Meanwhile, Atlanta are down in 10th on 31 points, half of Miami's own points tally, though they did shock the Herons in their last meeting, beating them 3-1 on the road.

They have won just once since the return of MLS action following the Leagues Cup break though – a narrow 1-0 victory over Charlotte FC – and lost last time out at home to Nashville SC.

The Five Stripes were outplayed on Saturday, and midfielder Ajani Fortune has urged his team-mates to show more of a fight when they meet Miami on Wednesday.

"We will change the little things, like the work rate and stuff like that, but we look to keep fighting," he said.

"I think that's the biggest thing we were missing [against Nashville], so once we have that, we'll be in a better spot to perform."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Atlanta United – Saba Lobjanidze  

Saba Lobjanidze had recorded at least one assist in three consecutive home appearances, but that run came to an end against Nashville.

Indeed, nine of his 12 goal contributions this season have come at home, including all six assists.

Inter Miami – Lionel Messi

Messi was straight back into the action for Miami after an eight-game absence, scoring twice and assisting one against Philadelphia last time out.

He has now netted 27 goals for the Herons, and another brace against Atlanta would draw him level with their all-time leading goalscorers, Gonzalo Higuain and Leonardo Campana.

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

Miami are currently on a five-match winning streak in MLS, scoring 14 goals in that run. They have actually netted in each of their last 14 matches; however, they have struggled for clean sheets, only keeping one in their last 13 games in the competition.

Atlanta have proven a thorn in Miami's side over the years and have won their last two matches against the Herons, including that 3-1 victory at Chase Stadium in May. Indeed, they have only failed to beat Miami in four of their previous meetings (W5 D3).

Atlanta have won only two of their last 11 regular season home matches (D3 L5) dating back to the beginning of April, while they have won just two of their last eight outings in MLS (D1 L5). 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Atlanta United – 28.6%

Draw – 24.4%

Inter Miami – 47%

Atlanta United interim head coach Rob Valentino has backed Alexey Miranchuk to aid the Five Stripes’ push for the playoffs after his impressive showing against Charlotte FC.

Miranchuk, signed from Atalanta in July, showcased his individual qualities last time out, playing more passes into the final third (29) than any on the pitch at the Bank of America Stadium.

Atlanta currently sit 10th in the Eastern Conference table, a point behind D.C. United with a game in hand, with Valentino confident the Russian can propel his side into the playoff positions.

"It was fantastic, it was good to get him integrated into the team as quickly as possible," said Valentino. "He’s going to help us a lot down the stretch.

“His teammates getting used to him, him getting used to his teammates, he pushes himself to a whole different level.”

Their success against Charlotte was also their first win in five away games, something goalkeeper Brad Guzan emphasised the importance of for the remaining league fixtures.

“It was a good result, I’m sure, as Rob probably said, there are times when in the game we had to suffer, we had to defend, we had to do a lot of dirty work tonight and that’s part of going on the road and finding a way to get a result," Guzan said.

For Nashville, however, their woeful run of results continued, with their 3-0 defeat to Orlando City last time out their eighth consecutive loss in the MLS.

Their recent form saw BJ Callaghan replace Gary Smith as the Coyotes' new head coach in July, but those losses have resulted in Nashville dropping to the foot of the Eastern Conference table.

But a 2-0 win against their reserve team, Huntsville City FC, last week, featuring a number of upcoming young talent, handed Callaghan an insight into the future of the club.

“A lot of times we can get focused on our week-to-week, our Saturday to Saturday. And we know that the most important thing in the first team is those Saturday performances,” Callaghan said.

“But tonight is the night that you get to step back. And we talked about celebrating the club and showcasing that young talent and understanding that we have a week-to-week responsibility.

“But the club also has a long-term vision and a long-term responsibility to the city of Nashville and the city of Huntsville, two cities that we’ve invested heavily in.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Atlanta United – Saba Lobjanidze

Lobjanidze has recorded at least one assist in each of his last three regular season home appearances, including recording two against Columbus Crew in July. 

Nine of Georgian’s 12 goal contributions this season have also come at home, including all six assists.

Nashville – Sam Surridge

With Nashville scoring just three goals in their last eight MLS fixtures, they will need top scorer Surridge fit and firing for their trip to Atlanta. 

The Englishman has 11 goals from 25 appearances in all competitions this season but faces an opponent he is yet to win or find the net against this weekend.

MATCH PREDICTION: ATLANTA UNITED WIN

Atlanta won their first two meetings with Nashville in 2020, but since, the Coyotes have lost only on of their last nine matches with the Five Stripes in all competitions (W4 D4).

The hosts, however, have only won two of their last 10 regular season home matches (D3 L5) dating back to April. But they have gone four games unbeaten in four consecutive games on home soil since (W2 D2).

Nashville come into the encounter in a wretched run of form having lost a club record eight matches in a row, failing to score in their last four. The only longer losing streak in MLS since the start of the 2019 season was FC Cincinnati’s league-record 14 straight defeats from September 2021 to March 2022.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Atlanta United – 50.4%

Draw – 25.1%

Nashville – 24.5%

Dean Smith has set his Charlotte FC players the challenge of remaining unbeaten from now until the end of the season, starting with their MLS fixture against Atlanta United.

The Crown returned to league action after their Leagues Cup exit with a 1-1 draw against the New York Red Bulls, as Karol Swiderski saw his penalty cancelled out by Elias Manoel.

Smith’s side extended their unbeaten run in the MLS to four matches, sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference standings but four points off fourth place.

And with the playoffs growing ever closer, Smith is keen to build a winning mentality among his players and is confident that his side will improve as the campaign progresses.

“I want them to be sharper,” Smith started. “They have worked really hard in the last three weeks, and they have had some rest when they have needed it. They will be good.

“I don’t worry about the players fitness wise; they are a strong group and I think as the season goes on now we will get better.

“The challenge for them now is keeping this unbeaten run going until the end of the season and I believe we can go and do that.”

Atlanta, meanwhile, marked their return to MLS action with a 2-0 defeat to LA Galaxy, halting their two-game winning run in the competition.

The Five Stripes currently occupy the final playoff place in the Eastern Conference, but a win will see them close the gap to the sides above them with the luxury of a game in hand over Toronto.

But after their showing against the Galaxy, interim head coach Rob Valentino is hoping for a quick start at the Bank of America Stadium this time around.

"I feel like we gave them the first one, or they didn’t have to earn it as much which is really disappointing because they defended so hard and aggressive for a good chunk of time," Valentino said.

"I was hoping that as we got the subs on they could make an impact. Unfortunately, we were chasing the game 1-0 and that changed quite a bit for us."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Charlotte FC – Karol Swiderski 

Karol Swiderski scored Charlotte's only goal in their 1-1 draw with the Red Bulls, his second strike in two regular season games since returning from a loan spell with Hellas Verona.

Swiderski is the only player in club history to score in three straight league games (October 2023).

Atlanta United – Saba Lobjanidze

Saba Lobjanidze attempted five shots in the Five Stripes’ defeat at the Galaxy last time out.

It was the 141st time an Atlanta player took at least five shots in a regular season match, more than any other MLS team since they joined the league in 2017.

MATCH PREDICTION: CHARLOTTE WIN

Charlotte have won each of their last two matches against Atlanta, with both wins coming away from home. In fact, three of the last four meetings between the two sides have been won by the visitors.

The Crown, however, have drawn five of their last seven home matches (W1 L1) in all competitions. They have lost only two of their last 24 at home dating back to June 2023 (W10 D12).

Atlanta United have lost four straight regular season away matches for the first time since a six-match run in 2019. The Five Stripes have won just two of their last 17 matches away from home dating back to last September (D7 L8).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Charlotte FC – 50.3%

Draw – 25.1%

Atlanta United – 24.5%

Alexey Miranchuk has completed a permanent transfer from Atalanta to Atlanta United, the MLS club confirmed on Tuesday. 

Miranchuk, who won the Europa League with Atalanta last season, has signed a three-year contract with an option of a further year for a reported €15million fee. 

The Russia international made 42 appearances in all competitions for the Serie A side last term, scoring three goals and adding 12 assists. 

During his four-year stay in Italy, where he spent time on loan with Torino for the 2022-23 season, Miranchuk netted 13 goals in his 100 appearances in the Italian top flight.

“We’re excited to sign a player of Alexey’s quality at this point in his career from a top league in Europe,” Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said.

“He’s an attacking player who is an excellent chance creator capable of scoring goals.

"Over the last four years, he has been a consistent player in Serie A and has made more than 40 combined appearances in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, while helping Atalanta win the Europa League title in 2023-24.

"We’re pleased to add a player with his experience and winning mentality to our group and we look forward to welcoming him to Atlanta.”

Miranchuk comes in as a replacement for Thiago Almada, who left Atlanta to join Botafogo earlier in the transfer window.

Wilfried Nancy has insisted that his full focus remains with Columbus Crew amid links to the vacant United States managerial position ahead of their meeting with Atlanta United this weekend.

The Crew extended their unbeaten run to six matches in the MLS following their 1-1 draw with Charlotte FC in midweek as they aim to keep pace with the top two in the Eastern Conference.

Nancy’s side sit third in the standings, five points behind FC Cincinnati following their defeat to Chicago Fire last time out, with Inter Miami now at the summit of the table.

Despite their recent form, Nancy is hungry for more success with Columbus, going on to rubbish the rumours linking him with a move to the international stage following Gregg Berhalter’s dismissal last week.

"I don't talk about rumours, simple as that,” Nancy said.  

“Like I said, I am limitless. I want to be limitless, so the idea is to push myself, to challenge myself, but at the moment I'm here. I'm happy here. We'll see in the future."

“I’m really happy because the task that we had was very difficult, knowing the context, knowing the situations.

"But my players found a way to be ourselves and to play the way we wanted to play and to play really good sequences, but also to be disgusting to play against."

Meanwhile, Atlanta halted their three-game pointless run in the league with a draw against New York City FC, despite squandering their two-goal advantage in the second half.

The Five Stripes sit in 12th place in the Eastern Conference table and are among a cluster of teams tightly packed at the wrong end of the division.

Interim head coach Rob Valentino is looking for a much-improved performance from his players, picking out his side’s individual errors that have cost them in recent weeks.

"We were under some pressure, and we tried to make adjustments at half-time about being better and just more brave," said Valentino.

"There were individual errors. So, it is about eliminating those moments."

"We were braver, more direct and playing in there. The goal came right away. The big thing is that we have to find out why we dropped off."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Atlanta United – Daniel Rios

While the Five Stripes may have forgotten how to win in the MLS, Daniel Rios has had no such trouble in finding the back of the net, scoring his third goal in his last four matches.

Rios’ strike against NYCFC was clocked at just 21 seconds, the fastest goal in Atlanta’s history, and they will be hoping for another quick start at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Columbus Crew – Cucho Hernandez

Cucho Hernandez continues to be the attacking spark for the Crew, with his strike against Charlotte FC his 13th of the season, scoring in each of his last three appearances.

Hernandez's goals saw him become the first player in the club's history to record 60 goal contributions over a three-year span, notching 38 goals and 22 assists in that time.

MATCH PREDICTION: COLUMBUS CREW WIN

Columbus come into the contest as the hot favourites following their impressive recent run, with their draw against Charlotte meaning they are undefeated in their last six games in the MLS. Their last longer unbeaten streak was from 13th November 2023 to 16th March 2024, a run of eight games.

Hernandez's strike for the Crew was also the 12th consecutive time they have found the back of the net, scoring 34 times during that run. 

Atlanta have failed to win in their last two games against Columbus Crew, but their last triumph against them came back in November 2023, last losing at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium against the Crew in May 2022. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Atlanta United – 23.7%

Draw – 22.6%

Columbus Crew – 53.7%

Rob Valentino accepts Atlanta United are going through a "tough moment" as they bid to halt their four-game losing streak against New York City on Wednesday.

Atlanta's slump continued with a 1-0 defeat at CF Montreal last weekend, which came on the back of MLS losses to the New England Revolution and Real Salt Lake and a U.S. Open Cup exit versus Indy Eleven.

The Five Stripes sit 11th in the Eastern Conference, two points adrift of the playoff picture, and have only won two of eight matches under interim coach Valentino (two draws, four defeats).

Asked how his team could offer more in attack, Valentino said: "Look, it's a tough moment, right? 

"I said earlier that it was going to be like that, and I think with most teams in the league, if you are solid defensively you can frustrate them and then create chances.

"That's what I've been trying to add. We didn't get a goal which I'm not happy about, but it shows that we have something in the group."

NYCFC, meanwhile, have been inconsistent of late, recording two wins, one draw and four defeats in their last seven games.

They drew 0-0 with the Chicago Fire on Saturday, with young left-back Christian McFarlane making his full debut and producing an impressive performance.

"I thought he was excellent," Cushing said of McFarlane. "I thought he showed his quality; his physical quality and his technical quality. 

"I think he showed the potential to be a top left-back anywhere in the world. He is a guy that can play week in week out. 

"I think he showed maturity for a guy that's only [previously] come into a game at home against Columbus. To go on the road and play 90 minutes in a game where we didn't play so well."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Atlanta United – Brooks Lennon

Lennon failed to create a chance as Atlanta struggled versus Montreal last time out, though his five assists are more than any other Five Stripes player has managed this term.

He also leads all his team-mates for expected assists (5.34 xA) and chances created (52) in MLS this season.

New York City – Christian McFarlane

NYCFC recorded just their second clean sheet since May last time out, with English 17-year-old McFarlane producing a composed display.

He made two tackles and completed 80% of his passes in the final third versus Chicago, and Cushing looks set to give him another opportunity here. 

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Atlanta are in a dismal run of form, though three of their four straight defeats have come on the road. At home, they have recorded one win, one draw and one loss in their last three.

New York, meanwhile, are winless in four on the road, losing three in a row before their goalless draw with the Fire and failing to net in three of those four matches.

It could be a game of few chances between teams low on confidence, and seven of the teams' previous 16 meetings have finished level (four Atlanta wins, five for NYCFC).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Atlanta United – 42%

New York City – 31.3%

Draw – 26.7%

Interim Atlanta United head coach is hoping to see improvements from his side following their shock US Open cup exit ahead of returning to league action against CF Montreal this weekend.

The Five Stripes exited the competition at the quarter-final stage to USL side Indy Eleven, as Nick Firmino’s late strike proved only to be a consolation.

Atlanta come into the game off the back of consecutive defeats in the MLS, the latest of which came against Real Salt Lake at America First Field.

Just a point separates the two sides in the Eastern Conference table, with Atlanta sitting in 10th place, a point ahead of their opponents.

Valentino is hoping to see an improvement in the attacking areas from his players as they aim to return to winning ways in the MLS.

"When we have a team within their own box, we have to move very quickly and have some quality with it," said Valentino. "We’ve talked about different areas where we can attack, yeah sure, but from there we have to have a little bit more quality in how we execute in the final third"

"But even tonight, at the very end when we get an own goal at the very end, and I said to them just try to get one. If you can get one goal, it means you are still pushing and still trying to be in the game, and they did.

"They had two chances, and they ended up getting one. You have to keep going, no one is going to feel sorry for us, and I think that is sort of the message to me."

Montreal, meanwhile, snatched a late point in their last league fixture against Vancouver Whitecaps as Matias Coccaro struck late for the hosts.

Laurent Courtois’ side have endured an indifferent run of results of late, winning two of their last eight matches, four of which have ended in a draw.

Montreal sit 11th in the Eastern Conference standings, and know a victory will see them leapfrog their opponents while also bridging the gap between the sides at the bottom of the table.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

CF Montreal – Sunusi Ibrahim

Sunusi Ibrahim is Montreal’s top scorer this season with six goals from 21 league appearances and will be hopeful of ending his dry spell in front of his home supporters.

Ibrahim has failed to find the back of the net in his last four outings, having recorded six goal contributions (five goals, one assist) in seven appearances beforehand.

Atlanta United – Daniel Rios

Rios has been in fine form for Atlanta of late, and he will be keen to influence proceedings once again at the Stade Saputo.

The Mexican has been involved in six of the Five Stripes’ last nine MLS goals (four goals, two assists), recording at least one goal contribution in each of his last four MLS appearances. 

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Both sides come into the encounter searching for a much-needed victory in an attempt to get their respective seasons back on track.

Atlanta have won only three of its last 17 league matches (D6 L8), including losing the last two in a row. The Five Stripes have managed only two clean sheets in that time.

Montreal are enduring a similar run to their opponents in the MLS. They have won only two of their last 17 matches in all competitions (D8 L7). Montreal, however, are unbeaten in six games at home (W2 D4).

The Five Stripes do edge the head-to-head meetings, having won seven of their previous 13 all-time meetings (D3 L3), though they have struggled at the Stade Saputo. Only two of their victories have come in Montreal.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

CF Montreal – 39.7%

Draw – 26.6%

Atlanta United – 33.7%