The Mercedes-Benz Stadium is set to host a true trial by fire for Atlanta United this Sunday, August 4. The American team faces Santos Laguna in the Leagues Cup, a match that will determine who advances to the next round of the tournament.
Atlanta United entered this competition with a fighting spirit and high hopes of achieving something big. However, the first match against D.C. United was a cold shower. A 3-3 draw and a loss in the penalty shootout left the team with only one point. D.C. United, on the other hand, secured an extra point by winning the penalty shootout and recently defeated Santos Laguna 3-0, making the group even more tangled.
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So, what makes this upcoming game against Santos Laguna so crucial? It's simple: win or win. Atlanta United needs a victory at all costs to keep their dreams of Leagues Cup glory alive. A loss, whether in regulation time or penalties, would mean an early and frustrating exit from the tournament.
Atlanta United's journey this season has been a real roller coaster. Under the interim coach Rob Valentino, the team is trying to find its footing after losing key players like Thiago Almada, Giorgos Giakoumakis, and Caleb Wiley. These transfers brought in over $50 million to the club's coffers but left a significant void in the squad. The arrival of the new DP, Alexey Miranchuk, is highly anticipated, but until he arrives, Saba Lobjanidze has been the light at the end of the tunnel, leading the attack with 13 goal contributions in the MLS.
On the other hand, Santos Laguna comes into this match with their backs against the wall. After a disastrous start in the LIGA MX Apertura, with just one point in four games, and a crushing 3-0 defeat to D.C. United in the Leagues Cup opener, the Mexican team desperately needs a win to keep their hopes alive. The club, which has been in two Concacaf Champions Cup finals, relies on captain and goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo to lead the team on the field. With JJ Macias injured, the responsibility of scoring goals falls on the shoulders of Honduran international Anthony Lozano and young Santiago Muñoz.
For Atlanta United, the scenario is clear: win and advance. If they manage to secure a victory, even if it's via penalties, they'll guarantee their spot in the knockout stage. Should they advance, the team could play up to four of the possible six matches in the next stage at Bobby Dodd Stadium, on the Georgia Tech campus, a true incentive for the fans who have been the team's 12th player.
Santos Laguna, however, won't be an easy opponent. Despite their struggles in the domestic league, the Mexican team has tradition and talented players who can decide the match in a moment of brilliance. Goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo, with his leadership and experience, will be one of the defensive pillars, while Lozano and Muñoz will look to break through Atlanta's defense.
The Leagues Cup is a competition that pauses the domestic season to give clubs the chance to face off in a World Cup-style format. With 47 clubs participating, including 18 from LIGA MX and 29 from MLS, the tournament not only offers the chance to lift the trophy but also to secure a spot in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup for the top three finishers.