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 FC Preparing for 404 Day Clash with Columbus with Limited Squad Concerns Atlanta United FC’s head coach, Tata Martino, is set to field a near-full squad as the club returns from its international break to prepare for a special match on 404 Day against Columbus. The availability report released by the club on Friday, April 3, indicates that only two players are listed as unavailable for the upcoming fixture, with one additional player marked as questionable. Despite the minor setbacks, Martino and his coaching staff have expressed confidence in the depth of their roster, particularly in the midfield, where several key players are expected to be available for selection. The primary concern for Martino is the absence of Matías Galarza, the recently loaned midfielder, who is currently away from the club while finalizing his visa arrangements. Galarza’s absence leaves a slight gap in the midfield, but Martino has emphasized that the team has enough options to compensate. Will Reilly and Jay Fortune, both homegrown prospects, are now available for first-team selection. The pair is eager to capitalize on their opportunities to build on their promising performances in the 2025 campaign and secure starting roles. Another player listed as questionable is Sergio Santos, who was previously sidelined due to an illness for the previous match against D.C. United. Santos is now dealing with a calf injury, which has raised concerns about his availability for the 404 Day clash. However, the rest of the squad is reportedly in good shape, with the team ready to compete in what is expected to be an entertaining match. The club’s focus remains on ensuring that the players who are available are in peak condition to meet the demands of the game.#atlanta_united_fc #tata_martino #matias_galarza #will_reilly #jay_fortune
