Chicago Fire v Atlanta United: Martino Eyeing Transfers After World Cup Break Atlanta United are yet to find their rhythm under Tata Martino, but the club remains focused on improving their performance ahead of the World Cup break. Despite a summer of 12 signings, including the acquisition of Tomas Jacob from Necaxa, the team has struggled to translate those additions into consistent results. In their opening six league matches of the season, Atlanta has managed just one win, following a three-game losing streak that left them in a precarious position. However, a brief resurgence saw them go unbeaten in their next two matches before a 3-1 defeat to the Columbus Crew highlighted their ongoing challenges. Martino, who is in his second stint with Atlanta, emphasized the importance of maintaining competitiveness until the World Cup break. “We understand we have an important break for the World Cup this season and also the summer transfer window that will open,” he said. “We’ll be open to new signings and paying attention in that window, but I also think we need to be a solid team from now and through all the games up until that point.” Martino’s comments underscored the delicate balance between preparing for the transfer market and ensuring the squad remains competitive in the short term. The recent match against Columbus Crew provided a stark reminder of Atlanta’s struggles. Wessam Abou Ali’s brace gave Columbus a commanding lead, while Aleksey Miranchuk’s goal briefly narrowed the gap. However, Max Arfsten’s late strike sealed the win for the Crew, leaving Atlanta with a 3-1 loss. The game also revealed some statistical insights: Atlanta’s expected goals (xG) total of 1.24 from seven shots contrasted sharply with Columbus’ 1.46 from 16 attempts.#atlanta_united #tata_martino #chicago_fire #wessam_abou_ali #aleksey_miranchuk
Chicago Fire vs Atlanta United Match Preview: Fire Aim to Extend Streak Against Struggling Atlanta Saturday’s match at Soldier Field marks a pivotal moment for the Chicago Fire as they seek to continue their winning streak against an Atlanta United side that has struggled to convert talent into results. The Fire, coming off back-to-back victories over Philadelphia and Nashville, face an Atlanta team that has yet to secure a win in 2026 despite boasting one of the league’s most expensive rosters. The absence of head coach Tata Martino, who was red-carded in Atlanta’s 3-1 loss to Columbus last Saturday, adds another layer of uncertainty for the visiting side. The Fire’s head coach, Gregg Berhalter, acknowledged Martino’s influence on the game despite his temporary absence. “Nothing changes,” Berhalter said, emphasizing that the team would still feel the impact of Martino’s tactical acumen. “If he travels, he’ll be able to communicate what’s happening on the sideline. Sometimes there’s even more of an impulse for the team because they know they need to take care of it by themselves.” This sentiment underscores the Fire’s focus on maintaining their defensive resilience, a key factor in their recent success. Atlanta’s struggles this season have been stark despite their high-profile signings. The team, which once redefined the potential of an expansion franchise by winning the 2018 MLS Cup, has since faced inconsistency. Their only win in 2026 came against a struggling Philadelphia team, and they’ve yet to score multiple goals in any game this year. The absence of Martino, who previously guided Atlanta to their 2018 title, has not improved their fortunes.#atlanta_united #tata_martino #chicago_fire #gregg_berhalter #soldier_field
Atlanta United vs. Columbus Crew: Everything to know for Walmart Saturday Showdown Atlanta United and Columbus Crew will clash in a pivotal Eastern Conference matchup on Saturday, April 4, as part of Matchday 6’s Walmart Saturday Showdown. The game, set for 7:30 pm ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, promises to be a critical test for both teams as they navigate the early stages of the 2026 MLS season. The match carries added significance as both clubs seek to turn their recent struggles into momentum, with the winner likely to emerge as a stronger contender in the conference race. Atlanta United, currently ranked 10th in the Eastern Conference with four points from their first five matches, has shown signs of improvement under head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino. The Colombian tactician, who previously guided the club to an MLS Cup title in 2018, took over after a disappointing 14th-place finish in the 2025 season. Martino’s return has coincided with a resurgence for the Five Stripes, who have gone undefeated in their last two games after a three-game losing streak to start the year. The team’s recent performance has been bolstered by their high-profile Designated Player trio: Miguel Almirón, Emmanuel Latte Lath, and Alexey Miranchuk. Almirón, a former Newcastle United star and club legend, played a pivotal role in Atlanta’s lone victory of the season, a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union on Matchday 4. The Uruguayan midfielder delivered his first-ever MLS hat-trick of assists, while Latte Lath, Atlanta’s record signing from Middlesbrough, and Miranchuk, the Russian international, both scored. These contributions have positioned the Five Stripes as a team with potential, though their inconsistent start to the season highlights the challenges they face.#columbus_crew #atlanta_united #mercedes_benz_stadium #gerardo_tata_martino #miguel_almirn
Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment and Marietta Secure Land for NWSL Training Facility Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment and the city of Marietta have finalized an agreement to purchase land for the construction of a training facility for the new National Women’s Soccer League franchise, set to begin play in 2028. The facility will be located at 1033 Franklin Gateway, adjacent to the Franklin Gateway Sports Complex. The site will feature a 38,000-square-foot complex with four full soccer fields and two half-pitches. Under the agreement, AMBSE will acquire approximately 33 acres of land, while Marietta will receive a 10-acre parcel currently owned by AMBSE on Franklin Gateway. Arthur Blank, chairman of AMBSE, emphasized the importance of the project in a statement, stating that securing the property is a critical step in establishing NWSL Atlanta 2028 as a world-class organization. He praised the city of Marietta, Mayor Steve Tumlin, and the city council for their partnership, noting that Atlanta United has been based in Marietta for years and that the collaboration will expand their shared efforts. Blank also acknowledged the contributions of Rich McKay, Josh Blank, Dimitrios Efstathiou, and Joe Pierce in making the site a home for the new club. The project will involve an estimated $100 million investment, with AMBSE collaborating with design firms Impact and Populous to develop the site. Groundbreaking is expected to occur soon, with the facility slated for completion before the team’s debut in 2028. Mayor Tumlin highlighted the economic and community benefits of the project, calling it a significant opportunity for Marietta.#franklin_gateway #atlanta_united #arthur_m_blank #marietta #nwslnashville
Arthur Blank’s Professional Women’s Soccer Club to Base Operations in Marietta Marietta City Council members approved a deal Thursday to bring Arthur Blank’s professional women’s soccer club to the city, securing 33 acres of vacant land off Franklin Gateway for the team’s headquarters and training facilities. The land, previously slated for an IKEA store, will be developed into a 38,000-square-foot headquarters, four full soccer fields, and two half-sized fields. The agreement includes a $10 million payment from Blank to the city for the land, along with a donation of 10 acres of wooded land he owns across the street from Atlanta United’s facility. The city plans to redevelop the donated land into a park and potentially other community spaces, with an additional $1 million allocated for park construction. Mayor Steve “Thunder” Tumlin, who has actively pursued the project, emphasized the economic and community benefits of the deal. “This project delivers significant benefits to our city through economic growth and new park space for our residents and families,” Tumlin stated in a press release. He noted that Marietta will become the “soccer capital of Georgia” with the addition of both men’s and women’s professional teams. Blank, the billionaire cofounder of The Home Depot and owner of Atlanta United and the Atlanta Falcons, pledged to build a “world class training ground” for the women’s club. The women’s facility will complement Atlanta United’s existing training ground, which is located on city-owned land leased by the MLS club. Blank’s company has already invested over $90 million into Atlanta United’s facility, which opened in 2017. The new women’s club will receive at least $60 million in investment, though city officials anticipate the total will exceed that amount.#arthur_blank #franklin_gateway #marietta_city_council #steve_thunder_tumlin #atlanta_united
