Atlanta United at midseason: Schedule preview

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Venue: MAPFRE Stadium.

First half-recap: Atlanta United defeated Columbus 3-1 at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The team scored on goals from Hector Villalba, Miguel Almiron and Josef Martinez.

Difficulty for Atlanta United: The team has just one point out of 15 in its last five road games. That's not good. A loss here.

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July 4 vs. San Jose (6-6-5)

Time: 7 p.m.

Venue: Bobby Dodd Stadium.

First half-recap: The two teams didn't face each other.

Difficulty for Atlanta United: Because this is a home game, Atlanta United should be able to get all three points. San Jose will be breaking in a new coach and is just 2-5-1 on the road.

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July 21 at Orlando City (7-5-5)

Time: 7 p.m.

Venue: Orlando City Stadium.

First half-recap: The two teams didn't face each other.

Difficulty for Atlanta United: This should be a challenge because Orlando City has just one loss at home this season, plus it will likely be geared up to face its southern neighbor for the very first time.Will Cyle Larin be back by then is the big question? If he's not, Atlanta United is more than capable to getting at least a point.

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July 29 vs. Orlando City (7-5-5)

Time: 5 p.m.

Venue: Bobby Dodd Stadium.

First half-recap: The two teams didn't face each other.

Difficulty for Atlanta United: I'm pretty sure Atlanta United could sell out 90,000 tickets for this game if there were that many seats at Bobby Dodd Stadium. This should be a win for Atlanta United.

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August 6 at Sporting KC (7-4-6)

Time: 8 p.m.

Venue: Children's Mercy Park.

First half-recap: The two teams didn't face each other.

Difficulty for Atlanta United: Very difficult, probably the toughest of the remaining road games. KC is unbeaten at home (6-0-2) and has allowed a league-low 12 goals.One point would be a gift.

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August 23 at D.C. United (5-9-3)

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Venue: RFK Stadium.

First half-recap: D.C. United defeated Atlanta United 3-1 at Bobby Dodd Stadium and 2-1 at RFL Stadium.

Difficulty for Atlanta United: Them again?!?!?This opponent has caused Atlanta United all sorts of trouble, mostly because of its ability to capitalize on Atlanta United's individual mistakes.The Five Stripes are 0-2 against D.C. United, but three points should be had here.

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August 26 at Philadelphia (5-7-4)

Time: 7 p.m.

Venue: Talen Energy Stadium.

First half-recap: The two teams didn't face each other.

Difficulty for Atlanta United: The Union are 4-3-2 at home and aren't scary on offense or defense. But this is exactly the type of boring team that Atlanta United has had difficulty solving this season. A point would be a good result.

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Sept. 10 vs. Dallas

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

First half-recap: The two teams didn't face each other.

Difficulty for Atlanta United: If Atlanta United doesn't win this in what should be the largest crowd in MLS history (record is 69,255 set in 1996), then something's wrong. Dallas is very tough, but this will be a different game with likely a positive result for the local team.

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Sept. 13 vs. New England (5-7-5)

Time: 7 p.m.

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

First half-recap: The two teams didn't face each other.

Difficulty for Atlanta United: The second in a stretch of seven games to be played by the end of the month. The Revs have the pieces on offense to give Atlanta United trouble, but as of now they are winless (0-6-3) on the road.

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Sept. 16 vs. Orlando City (7-5-5)

Time: 4 p.m.

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

First half-recap: The two teams didn't face each other.

Difficulty for Atlanta United: Hey, look who is back! Both teams could be fighting to secure either a playoff spot, or a specific spot in the playoffs. Because Atlanta United is again home, three points should be the expectation.

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Sept. 20 vs. L.A. Galaxy

Time: 7 p.m.

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

First half-recap: The two teams didn't face each other.

Difficulty for Atlanta United: This will be the team's only meeting this season. L.A. has been a different team, a better team, since Jermaine Jones went down with an injury. Who knows if he will be back by this game and how his return may affect them. Three points again for the Five Stripes.

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Sept. 23 vs. Montreal

Time: 7 p.m.

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

First half-recap: Montreal defeated Atlanta United 2-1. The Five Stripes took a 1-0 lead until a red card against Leandro Gonzalez Pirez led to a penalty kick for the Impact. They won the game in the final seconds on a lucky deflection.

Difficulty for Atlanta United: Montreal is a weird team. Loads of talent, but not a lot in the way of results. Still, Atlanta United can't win every home game. This may be one they drop because these are the quality of teams that Atlanta Unites seems to play down to. Plus, Martino will likely be deep into his roster by this game.

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Sept. 27 vs. Philadelphia

Time: 7 p.m.

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

First half-recap: The two teams didn't face each other.

Difficulty for Atlanta United: I predicted a loss in their first meeting. This time Atlanta United will get the three points.

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Sept. 30 at New England (5-7-5)

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Venue: Gillette Stadium.

First half-recap: The two teams didn't face each other.

Difficulty for Atlanta United: A road game and the final in the condensed stretch. New England is very good at home so far (5-1-2). A loss for Atlanta United.

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Oct. 3 vs. Minnesota United (5-9-2)

Time: 7 p.m.

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

First half-recap: Atlanta United defeated Minnesota United 6-1 on a hat trick by Josef Martinez. But the Loons are a much different, and better, team than they were back in Game 2.

Difficulty for Atlanta United: Though Minnesota United is much improved, Atlanta United should get all three points.

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Oct. 15 at New York Red Bulls (7-8-2)

Time: 5 p.m.

Venue: Red Bull Arena.

First half-recap: The Red Bulls defeated Atlanta United 2-1 in the inaugural game thanks to two goals in the final 16 minutes. Both were the result of individual mistakes by Atlanta United.

Difficulty for Atlanta United: The Red Bulls may be fighting for a playoff berth, while Atlanta United's spot should be secured. A loss for the Five Stripes.

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Oct. 22 vs. Toronto FC (10-2-5)

Time: 4 p.m.

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

First half-recap: The two teams tied 2-2 in Toronto. Atlanta United played without Josef Martinez and Yamil Asad received a red card late in the second half.

Difficulty for Atlanta United: This has the potential to be a marquee game, but Toronto is so far ahead of everyone else in the East its only motivation by this point may be in its race with Chicago to secure the top seed. Still, it's Atlanta United home finale in the regular season. Three points here.

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Predicted record in the second half: 10-5-2.