The New York Red Bulls may be the most intense opponent that Atlanta United will face this season, according to manager Gerardo Martino, when the teams meet Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“They are an intense team on the whole field: playing, pressing, defending, everything they do,” Martino said.
Atlanta United leads MLS in points this season (25), as well as goals scored (25). The Red Bulls, led by manager Jesse Marsch and featuring a wealth of young talent, are tied with Atlanta United for the league lead in goal difference (plus-12).
Though the managers may not always get along, the Red Bulls have Martino's respect.
“It’s always good when a team shows that same sense of intensity no matter what they doing,” he said.
Atlanta United fullback Greg Garza twice used the word "buzzing" to describe the Red Bulls, which like to play a similar pressing style as Atlanta United, but will do so from myriad formations. They feature defender Tim Parker, midfielders Tyler Adams and Alejandro Romero, and veteran striker Bradley Wright-Phillips, a contender for MLS MVP.
“They are a fun team to watch if you aren’t on that team (opponent),” Garza said.
Atlanta United will try to avoid losing its second consecutive home game after its loss to Sporting KC 2-0 on May 9. The team bounced back to defeat Orlando City 2-1 on the road May 13.
Midfielder Julian Gressel said good teams don’t lose two consecutive home games. Atlanta United is 4-1-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this season. The Red Bulls are 2-2-0 on the road this season.
“We want to have Mercedes-Benz be our castle, where we keep the points at home all the time,” he said.
Atlanta United has been hardened by playing a string of seven consecutive games against teams playing well. The Red Bulls will be eighth. The team has lost just one of those games.
“You have to get up to a certain level and you have to perform,” Gressel said. “That’s really what it’s all about. I say that a lot, but you have to perform and play well against those good teams.”
Garza said one of the keys to the team's good performance is that they've been able to keep most of the players healthy. Chris McCann (hamstring) and Franco Escobar (chest) have missed several games, and Martino said they won't be in the 18 on Sunday.
After a week off, the team will have another when it plays at New England, unbeaten at home, on May 30. Martino said he anticipates having a full roster for that game.
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