MLS Multiplex
Fansided

MLS: Five Games To Watch On The Opening Weekend Of 2020

By Matt Coles

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 10: Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei #24 walks with the ball during a game between Toronto FC and Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field on November 10, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 10: Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei #24 walks with the ball during a game between Toronto FC and Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field on November 10, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 27: Ezequiel Barco #8, Gonzalo “Pity” Martínez #10, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez #5, and Justin Meram #14 of Atlanta United celebrate after defeating Minnesota United 2-1 to win the U.S. Open Cup Final at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 27, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 27: Ezequiel Barco #8, Gonzalo “Pity” Martínez #10, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez #5, and Justin Meram #14 of Atlanta United celebrate after defeating Minnesota United 2-1 to win the U.S. Open Cup Final at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 27, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

4. Nashville SC vs. Atlanta United

It is not just the opening weekend of the season in Nashville, but it is also the beginning of an era, as Tennessee gets its first-ever MLS franchise. Nashville SC will play at home for their first-ever regular-season contest, and it could not be a much harder start to life in the American top flight, as they face 2018 MLS Cup champions Atlanta United. The Tennessee-based side will come into the league with their own expectations, but no-one would be surprised if they were to get beat resoundingly on Saturday evening.

On the flip side, if Atlanta United were to lose, questions might be asked straight away as to their offseason. Double the number of players left the club to those coming in, with their defensive line seemingly short compared to last year.

Atlanta lost central defenders Leandro Gonzalez Pirez and Michael Parkhurst in the offseason, while Florentin Pogba and Brek Shea also departed. Will those holes be filled by players already in the squad come Saturday? Can Nashville pull off the surprise of the opening weekend? Anything is possible in Tennessee for the season-opener.

Home/MLS News