Two MLS teams in strong form will lock horns in the Eastern Conference on Saturday night, with New York Red Bulls welcoming Atlanta United to the Sports Illustrated Stadium.
The Red Bulls are currently seventh in the Eastern Conference, boasting 24 points from their 16 league matches this term, while Atlanta United are 12th, picking up 17 points from their opening 16 games of the campaign.
Match preview
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New York Red Bulls boast a record of seven wins, three draws and six defeats from their 16 league matches this season, with a total of 24 points leaving them in seventh spot in the Eastern Conference.
Sandro Schwarz's side will enter this match off the back of a 4-2 home success over Charlotte FC, which was a third straight victory, including a 2-0 win over DC United in their last away game in the Eastern Conference.
The team's last defeat was a 2-0 reverse to New York City FC on May 17, and they will be aiming to make the final of the MLS Cup for the second year in succession, overcoming Orlando City in the 2024 Eastern Conference final before losing 2-1 to Los Angeles Galaxy in the overall final in December 2024.
New York Red Bulls have not managed to overcome Atlanta United since June 2023, although two of the last three meetings between the two teams have finished level, including a goalless draw in their last clash in March 2025.
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Atlanta United will bring a two-game winning run into this match, having overcome Cincinnati before recording a 3-2 victory over Orlando City last time out, so the visitors are chasing a third straight success this weekend.
Ronny Deila's side now boast a record of four wins, five draws and seven defeats from their 16 matches in the Eastern Conference this season, with a total of 17 points leaving them in 12th spot in the table.
The Five Stripes are currently five points behind ninth-placed Charlotte and seven from New York Red Bulls in seventh, so another victory on Saturday would move them closer to the playoff spots in the division.
Atlanta United made the semi-finals of the Conference playoffs last year, losing 1-0 to Orlando City, and they will be eyeing a third straight success this weekend ahead of their next game against New York City on June 12.
The visitors have had defensive problems this season, conceding 28 times in their 16 matches, which is actually the second-worst worst in the division behind Montreal, who have let in 29 goals this term.
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Team News
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New York Red Bulls will again be without the services of Roald Mitchell and Dylan Nealis due to knee and hamstring injuries respectively, while Felipe Carballo and Lewis Morgan are both doubts.
Head coach Schwarz will make changes to the side that took to the field for the first whistle against Charlotte last time out, with Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting and Emil Forsberg both in line to return to the XI.
Choupo-Moting has eight goals and one assist in 17 matches this term, while Forsberg has six goals and four assists in 17 outings, and the pair are set to feature in the starting side on Saturday night.
As for Atlanta United, Josh Cohen, Stian Gregersen and Tristan Muyumba are out of the match due to injury problems, while Brooks Lennon remains a major doubt for the visitors due to a hamstring issue.
Emmanuel Latte Lath is the team's leading goalscorer this season, finding the back of the net on five occasions in 15 appearances, and he will again feature in the final third of the field.
Meanwhile, there will be another start for ex-Newcastle United attacker Miguel Almiron, who has managed three goals and one assist in 15 outings for the club during the current season.
New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Coronel; Duncan, S Nealis, Eile, Edwards; Edelman, Stroud; Forsberg, Carmona, Sofo; Choupo-Moting
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Lobjanidze, Edwards, Williams, Abram, Hernandez; Miranchuk, Slisz, Fortune; Almiron, Latte Lath
We say: New York Red Bulls 2-1 Atlanta United
Both sides will enter this match in strong form, and it would not be a surprise to see the points shared on Saturday, but we just have a feeling that the home team's attacking quality will allow them to collect all three points in front of their own supporters.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
