Match preview: Home opener will see Tata Martino reunite with 17s as 5-Stripes take on Real Salt Lake
Anticipation constructed up over the course of an offseason, and two away matches to begin the season, will lastly be delivered upon. Atlanta United will play at residence for the primary time within the 2026 season. For one 5-Stripe, Saturday evening will be a very particular reunion with the 17s.
Head coach Tata Martino will take the touchline as the gaffer of Atlanta United for the primary time since 2018. His squad is ready to take on Real Salt Lake at 7:30 pm ET Saturday, March 7.
Tata and the workforce’s return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Much like final season’s Home Opener, when Miguel Almirón made his reintroduction in Red and Black with the 17s, Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be ready to welcome an previous pal residence — on their aspect of the benches. Martino is aware of the ability of the house supporters at MBS, from each his time with the 5-Stripes and as a visiting coach with Inter Miami.
Although he is considering probably about what the Home Opener match will appear like for him individually, El Profe acknowledged the second is far greater than him
“For the us, for the fans, for the club, it’s a game of great importance,” Martino stated in Spanish after coaching Thursday.
Tata and his teaching employees are placing within the work this week to sharpen the squad and make them 3 factors within the supervisor’s return match. After two straight losses to start the season, a house fixture is simply the reset the 5-Stripes want.
For just a few gamers, it will be their very first time taking part in at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Elías Báez, who joined within the offseason, stated the squad cannot cease speaking about it.
“We have to try to come out with a positive mindset, that at home [the opponent] doesn’t come anywhere near us,” Báez stated after coaching Tuesday.
The endless vitality of the 17s, rowdy and proud for the primary time in 2026, will be an enormous spring to leap off of. As lots of the gamers have mentioned this week, bodily and technical energy will solely get them thus far.
“We know we are good quality players, but we need mental strength,” Saba Lobjanidze stated after coaching Tuesday. “…We know the way to come back, and we have to win the game. This is the good thing. We have a home game, and it’s a perfect opportunity.”
But the supporters will not win the three factors by themselves. Nor will Martino. The gamers perceive their position in executing the gameplan. Their sentiment has been the identical even via the early struggles: the tactical and footballing identification they’re putting in is sensible to them.
“I feel that the players feel they trust what we are doing,” Enea Mihaj stated after coaching Thursday. “…We have four games at home now, so we want to give everything to get as many points and victories we can to bring back the positive energy and positive mindset.”
New items and tactical wrinkles
It’s wanting an increasing number of like Martino will have another choice within the midfield. Matías Galarza joined the membership this week on a mortgage deal from River Plate in Argentina, slotting into the midfield group and offering the teaching employees one other alternative for Saturday’s beginning XI.
“He can do a number of different things that we think is going to help the team,” Martino stated “…He’s competing with any of those three midfielders…but really there’s permanent competition in the midfield.”
Galarza might be a key to that possession. Martino has spoken typically about his need for the 5-Stripes to be dominant in possession this season, and Real Salt Lake presents a playstyle that will want that much more. A younger squad, RSL likes to get out and run in transition.
“Everything comes from maintaining control of the ball,” Martino stated. “Real Salt Lake is a direct team, they have good transitions. If we control the middle of the field and keep the ball, we avoid those transition moments.”
The protection will definitely be relied upon when the 5-Stripes do lose possession. Then, it is right down to defenders to win their particular person matchups.
“[It’s] about distance, smart decisions, not losing the ball and trying to make smart tactical fouls for to [prevent] the transition,” Mihaj stated. “We cannot every time kill the transition with a foul, sometimes they overpass us, and at this moment as the defender, we need to work hard in one against one situations.”
The 5-Stripes will want to go away all of it out on the pitch. A gradual begin has the squad in prove-it mode.
“They are the best fans in MLS for me,” Lobjanidze stated, “and they deserve more from us.”
It could also be early doorways, however a outcome can be a large enhance in the beginning of that four-match run at residence.
“From my experience in football until now, [there’s] only one thing you can do to make the crowd [get loud]: when they see a player fight,” Mihaj stated. “It really is not about dribbling or shooting, but when [they] see that you fight for every ball, you sacrifice yourself for the team. At this moment, the crowd they come next to you and they become the 12th player.”
