Atlanta United v New York Red Bulls: Valentino questioning mentality after torrid run

Rob Valentino questioned Atlanta United’s mentality after their recent drop in form and hopes to find a solution before meeting the New York Red Bulls in MLS.

The Five Stripes are winless in their last four matches, drawing three in a row before falling to a disappointing 2-1 loss to CF Montreal in midweek.

Sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference, they can still mathematically clinch a playoff spot, but they have to win their final two matches and hope other results go their way.

Valentino was not happy with what he saw from his players against Montreal though, questioning their desire.

“We should always be fighting to win the game, and you just can’t give up,” Valentino said.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat things, but at the end of the day, I also see that it looks like it doesn’t really matter [to the players]. It should look different.

“It’s about recovering and going again, but there’s no easy solve.”

Taking responsibility and not backing down. pic.twitter.com/XfBoa3XvtS

— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) October 3, 2024

Meanwhile, New York bounced back from a heavy 5-1 derby defeat to New York City FC with a 4-1 win over Toronto FC on Wednesday.

It was their first win in six, lifting them to sixth in the table, but Sandro Schwarz is debating rotating his winning side given the short turnaround.

“It could be that we have some rotation on Saturday after all the travel, but it’s what we have to prepare for with just two days’ recovery,” Schwarz said.

“We have to have a clear focus and be serious to play on Saturday, to defend very well, that’s what we need. We have to be ready, and it’s another must-win game that we need the right mentality and the basic behaviour to get a result.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Atlanta United – Daniel Rios

On Wednesday, Daniel Rios scored his 10th goal in all competitions this season, breaking a tie with Saba Lobjanidze for the Atlanta United team-high in 2024.

Rios is one of two Mexican MLS players with more than two goals in all competitions this season (Alan Pulido – eight).

New York Red Bulls – Lewis Morgan

Lewis Morgan had a goal and two assists against Toronto, and he now has 36 goal contributions (27 goals, nine assists) in his three seasons with the Red Bulls.

That is 14 more than the player with the next most regular-season goal contributions for the Red Bulls in that time (Elias Manoel – 22).

Things we love to see: JMi and Lewis being named to @MLS Team of the Matchday ‼️ pic.twitter.com/ZuRukrDlYP

— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) October 3, 2024

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Atlanta have won only two of their 17 meetings with the Red Bulls (D5 L10) in all competitions, though one of those came in the last meeting between the sides in Atlanta, a 1-0 win for the Five Stripes in April 2023.

However, Atlanta are on a five-game winless streak (D3 L2), though the team have scored at least once in each of the last four matches. This is the second time in team history that Atlanta have scored in four straight MLS matches and not won any of them (also September 2020).

Meanwhile, New York earned a 4-1 win over Toronto FC on Wednesday with two of the team’s goals coming from the penalty spot. The Red Bulls have scored seven penalty goals in league play this season, with the Colorado Rapids (nine) being the only team with more in 2024.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Atlanta United – 39%

Draw – 26.5%

New York Red Bulls – 34.4%