Month-by-month look at Atlanta United’s schedule

Oct. 6 vs. New England, 4 p.m., FSSO/SE

Just one game, so there’s that. There’s also this: the Revs (10-13-11) cratered with just three wins from July on last season. The team hasn’t done much to improve, other than adding left back Edgar Castillo.

Prediction on Atlanta United’s results: 3 points.

-

June

June 1 vs. Chicago, 6 p.m., UniMas

June 26 at Toronto, 8 p.m., FSSO/SE

June 29 vs. Montreal, 7 p.m., FSSO/SE

A weird quirk in the schedule has Atlanta United with an off week in early June, so it will play just three games, none of which against teams that made the playoffs last season. In fact, of the three only Montreal (14-16-4) came close. Toronto (10-18-6) should challenge for the playoffs this season, but there are some old, tired legs on that team. Chicago (8-18-8) is … a nice place to visit.

Prediction on Atlanta United's results: 6 points.

-

April

April 13 at New England, 7:30 p.m. FSSO/SE

April 20 vs. Dallas, 4 p.m., ESPN

April 27 vs. Colorado, 6 p.m. FSSO

The biggest challenge here will be Dallas (16-9-9_, which rallied with two goals in the final minutes to pull out a win over Atlanta United last season in Frisco. Since then it has lost its coach and a few key players.

Colorado (8-19-7) was dreadful last season but has taken steps to improve by signing strikers Kei Kamara and Diego Rubio. Still, much work is needed and the game as is at Mercedes-Benz.

Prediction on Atlanta United's results: 7 points.

-

March

March 3 at D.C. United, 6 p.m., ESPN

March 10 vs. Cincinnati, 5 p.m., ESPN

March 17 vs. Philadelphia, 7 p.m., FSSO/SE

March 30 at Columbus, 6 p.m. FSSO/SE

What a way to start the season with a month that features three games against teams that made the playoffs last season, and another that will be trying to show it’s not just a three-point placeholder.

Can D.C. United (14-11-9) replicate the magic it had last season with Wayne Rooney and Luciano Acosta? I’m not sure. But it’s going to be fun to watch, particularly if the club can acquire former Atlanta United standout Yamil Asad and pair him with loanee Lucas Rodriguez.

Philadelphia (15-14-5) found its footing as the season went on with a defense that should be steady for years to come. Its problem will once again be scoring goals. The team added Brazilian striker Sergio Santos, but it needs more.

Columbus (14-11-9) has a new coach in Caleb Porter after Gregg Berhalter left for …what was it again? I’ve forgotten. Anyway, we will see which version of Porter the Crew will get, because it seems to be an either/or situation with him. The team still has plenty of talent, but can Porter spark Gyasi Zardes the way Berhalter did?

Cincinnati has a defense that, on paper, looks solid. Part of that group includes former Atlanta United fullback Greg Garza. I think they are going to be slow in the middle of the pitch, which can spell trouble against Atlanta United.

Prediction on Atlanta United's results: 7 points.

-

September

Sept. 14 vs. Columbus, 7 p.m., FSSO/SE

Sept. 18 at Cincinnati, 7 p.m., FSSO/SE

Sept. 21 vs. San Jose, 3:30 p.m., UNIV

Sept. 25 at NYCFC, 7 p.m., FSSO/SE

Sept. 29 at Montreal, 5 p.m., FSSO/SE

Atlanta United is used to tough Septembers, having faced one during the 2017 season.

This one is similar because it will play five games in 14 days, three on the road. It’s a ridiculous number, but such is the result of the compressed schedule.

In Atlanta United’s favor is two of the teams it will face (San Jose, 21 points, and Montreal) weren’t good last season and another (NYCFC, 56 points) may very well have a new manager by the time it comes to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Prediction on Atlanta United's results: 8 points.

-

August

Aug. 3 vs. L.A. Galaxy, 4:30 p.m., FOX

Aug. 11 vs. NYCFC, 4 p.m., ESPN

Aug. 18 at Portland, 10 p.m., FS1

Aug. 23 at Orlando, 8 p.m., ESPN

Aug. 31 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m., FSSO/SE

Three playoff teams, including Atlanta United’s opponent in the MLS Cup. The Timbers (15-10-9) haven’t added anyone, but should be able to count on the development of Jeremy Ebobisse.

And then there are the Galaxy (13-12-9), which will have Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but it remains to be seen if he will play on the turf at the Benz.

Lastly, there’s Orlando (8-22-4). It would be nice to say that the Lions are going to break their two-year skid and challenge for the playoffs, but ….

Prediction on Atlanta United's results: 10 points.

-

July

July 3 at Chicago, 8 p.m., FSSO/SE

July 7 vs. New York Red Bulls, 2 p.m., FOX

July 14 at Seattle, 4 p.m., ESPN

July 17 vs. Houston, 7 p.m., FSSO/SE

July 21 vs. D.C. United, 4 p.m., ESPN

July 27 at LAFC, 8 p.m., ESPN

Two of the toughest road trips Atlanta United will face this season will happen this month: at Seattle (18-11-5) and at LAFC (16-9-9).

Now, throw in home games against Supporters Shield winners Red Bulls (22-7-5), Houston (10-16-8), which throttled Atlanta United in last year’s opener, and D.C. United, and it’s going to be hot in the air-conditioned environment of the Benz.

The good news for the Five Stripes: Seattle has been quiet, other than inexplicably handing long-term contracts to Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan and losing Ozzie Alonso.

LAFC must still strengthen its defense, which depends largely on re-signing Lawrenceville’s Walker Zimmerman. Otherwise, it’s going to score a lot, but give up a lot.

The Red Bulls gave centerback Tim Parker a massive contract, which I think they will regret. But it hasn’t found a replacement for Tyler Adams, one of the team’s most valuable players.

Prediction on Atlanta United's results: 10 points.

-

May

May 5 at Sporting KC, 9 p.m., FS1

May 8 vs. Toronto, 7 p.m., FSSO/SE

May 12 vs. Orlando, 2 p.m., FOX

May 15 at Vancouver, 10 p.m., FSSO/SE

May 19 at New York Red Bulls, 1 p.m., FS1

May 24 at Real Salt Lake, 9 p.m., UniMas

May 29 vs. Minnesota United, 7 p.m., FSSO/SE

This is the ridiculous portion of Atlanta United’s schedule and will test its depth unlike any month in its two-year history.

Flying to Kansas City (18-8-8), then home to face Toronto (10-18-6) three days later and Orlando four days after that. That’s three games in seven days.

Then fly across the country to Vancouver (13-13-8) before flying back again to New York Red Bulls and then flying back again to face Real Salt Lake (14-13-7). It’s ridiculous.

Prediction on Atlanta United's results: 10 points.

Final tally: 61 points.