Atlanta United returns to action Saturday night to take onWestern Conference opponent Houston Dynamo at Bobby Dodd Stadium for the first-ever meeting between the two clubs. Two of the league’s highest scoring teams will square off as both Atlanta and Houston are tied for the most goals scored in their respective conferences with 20 and 21. Atlanta is home for just the second time in its last eight matches and will play in front of a sellout crowd for the fourth straight time this season. The match, which is presented by AT&T, is scheduled to kick-off at 7 p.m. EST Saturday, May 20, and will be televised on FOX Sports Southeast.
Atlanta enters Saturday’s match following a 1-1 draw at Portland Timbers on May 14 at Providence Park. Rookie midfielder and 2016 first-round MLS SuperDraft pick Julian Gressel scored his first professional goal to give Atlanta a brief 1-0 advantage less than one minute into the second half. Portland, however, leveled the match shortly thereafter in the 50th minute when Liam Ridgewell headed in a looping free kick from David Guzman at the back post. Neither side could break through in the final 40 minutes despite Atlanta possessing the ball nearly 70 percent.
Houston will play its second consecutive road match on two days rest after a 2-0 defeat to Philadelphia Union May 17 at Talen Energy Stadium. The Union scored twice in the first half to see out their third consecutive win and mark the longest clean sheet streak in franchise history (four matches). Fafa Picault rose above A.J. DeLaGarza to head in a Chris Pontius cross and take a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute. Ilsinho scored in the 38th minute from another Pontius assist in setting the final score at 2-0. This marked Houston’s fourth road loss in as many matches.
MATCH INFORMATION
Saturday, May 20 | Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA. | 7 p.m. (EST)
Atlanta United (3-4-3, 12 points) vs. Houston Dynamo (6-4-1, 19 points)
TV: Fox Sports Southeast
Talent: Kevin Egan (play-by-play), David Gargan (analyst), Brittany Arnold (sideline reporter)
English Radio: 92.9 The Game
Talent: Adam Schick (play-by-play) and Jason Longshore (commentator).
Spanish Radio: La Mejor 1600 AM
Talent: Armando Carillo (play-by-play) and Daniel Cantu (commentator).