Atlanta United: 5 must-watch matches in 2019

With the 2019 MLS regular-season schedule officially released this week, here are the five must-watch Atlanta United matches.

Now that Atlanta United is entering their third year in MLS, the schedule reveal becomes all the more interesting. Rivalries are forming, changes are on the horizon, and there will be plenty of challenges for the league’s most recent MLS Cup winner.

The Five Stripes will have 17 of their 34 matches broadcast on national tv between ESPN, FS1/FOX, Unimas, and Univision. Atlanta’s July 7th match against New York Red Bulls will immediately follow the Women’s World Cup Final in France. Yet again, Atlanta United will be in the spotlight.

It’s important to note that both D.C. United and Orlando City’s matches are left off this list. Orlando is hardly a rival at this point and with Atlanta finally beating D.C. twice last season, there is less weight to those particular matches. It is also worth noting that due to Cincinnati joining the league, there are 24 MLS clubs. This allows for 22 home and away Eastern Conference matches and 12 Western conference matches, which eliminates a third match with Orlando and D.C., unlike the previous two years.

There are a few other big games left off this list: Zlatan comes to town for the first time ever on August 3rd, while the Colorado Rapids will make their first trip to Mercedes Benz Stadium. Atlanta will play NYCFC in September this year, marking the first time these two teams have met later than June in a regular season. The Five Stripes will also be welcoming the New England Revolution on Decision Day.

Anyway, let’s get to the five must-watch games of Atlanta United’s 2019 schedule.

5. March 10 vs FC Cincinnati

Even though FC Cincinnati is the newest entrant into MLS, there will be plenty of storylines surrounding this Week 2 match. Both teams will have played their first game of the season, there will be plenty of pressure on Atlanta to commence their MLS Cup defense strongly, and it will be the first meeting in history between these two clubs. This match will be Cincinnati’s first trip to Mercedes Benz Stadium, so it will be interesting to see how they handle the environment.

This match will also be Atlanta’s home opener. The stadium will be fully opened, meaning more than 70,000 fans will be on hand to see the defending MLS Cup champs. Last year Atlanta opened at home to D.C. United, winning 3-1 in front of a then record-setting crowd.

Greg Garza will also be making his first trip back to Atlanta after being traded in December to Cincinnati. It is possible that Atlanta will have a special ceremony to commemorate their 2018 MLS Cup. If this is the case, expect Garza to be part of that ceremony, even if he is wearing colors other than the red, black, and gold.