NYCFC vs Atlanta United FC preview: Time for a home stand

This weekend, New York City FC heads home for a three game home stand, and will start by taking on Atlanta United FC.  After a rough game against the Houston Dynamo, the Pigeons were able to redeem themselves with a stronger match against the New England Revolution, which ended in a draw.  As such, the team will want to work off the recent draw, and hopefully finish with all three points once the final whistle blows. 

NYCFC also plays well at home, and often are able to get the job done.  They need to make the next three games at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field a fortress, and this will be vital for Saturday’s fixture against Atlanta. 

The Georgia team has had a successful start to the season.  They have four wins in six matches, and are a goal scoring threat.  However, NYCFC was able to leave New England with a draw, so they have the ability to compete with one of this season’s early powerhouses.

So, without further ado, let’s look at this week’s preview.

When is the match between New York City FC and Atlanta United?

The match will take place on Saturday, April 8, at 7:30 PM.

Where is the NYCFC game?

The game will take place in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium.

Where can fans watch the NYCFC game?

Fans can catch NYCFC on Apple TV via the MLS Season Pass.

What can New York City FC expect from Atlanta United?

New York City FC can expect a threating Atlanta side that likes to score… a lot.  So far, the team has scored 13 goals, and have already had some high scoring fixtures, including a 3-0 win and 5-1 win.  Currently, those goals have the Five Stripes in second place in the Eastern Conference, with a record of 4-1-1.  

Atlanta also has some big-name players, like Thiago Almada, who has scored some impressive goals already.  In fact, it is expected that the Argentine will make a summer transfer move across the pond; that proves how talented he is.  He is not the only threat though, for winger Luiz Araújo and striker Giorgos Giakoumakis are huge goal-scoring threats.  NYCFC will likely have a difficult task with defending, and cannot make any silly mistakes.  Otherwise, Atlanta will capitalize. 

However, the away team is not a diamond rock, and can be scratched up and broken, as it was seen in their 6-1 loss against the Columbus Crew.  If NYCFC can figure out what Columbus did, and put that into their plans, then a win can be in their future. 

Which NYCFC player should supporters watch?

NYCFC supporters should watch Talles Magno.  Once again, in the last game against New England, he moved around the attacking third.  He was not constrained to the center-forward position, and this led to better play from the natural winger.  He also scored again, so the freedom to move around is definitely the way to go.  He played most of the match on the wings too since Gabriel Segal received the start as the center-forward. 

Will Nick Cushing stick with the same lineup, or at least give Magno the ability to roam in the attack?  This is unknown, so that is why fans should watch what the head coach decides to do on Saturday.  But no matter what, everyone should pay attention to what Magno does regardless of where he starts, and regardless of what he is allowed to do.  Likely, more evidence will be shown by his play that he is a winger, and not a striker.   

Everyone should pay attention to the Brazilian as a goal-scoring threat.  He has scored twice in the last three games, so will he score again?

What is the prediction for New York City FC?

New York City FC is back at home, and they tend to win when they play at Yankee Stadium.  How they play will determine on the decisions of Cushing, and also whether they can defend against Atlanta’s attacking threat. 

Therefore, a clean sheet is unlikely, but it is predicted that NYCFC will win, 3-2.