Columbus Crew forward Cucho Hernandez found himself sitting on the pitch after a recent game against Charlotte FC, which ended in a 1-1 tie. The Crew had been on a winning streak but had to settle for a draw this time around. Both the Crew and host Atlanta United were looking to bounce back from their disappointing matches as they faced off on Saturday.
The Crew, with a record of 12-3-7 and 43 points, were coming off a 1-1 draw against Charlotte FC after a resounding 5-1 win against Los Angeles FC. Despite recording nine shots on goal, the Crew couldn’t secure the win. Coach Wilfried Nancy emphasized the need to focus on the present moment and control what they can control in the fast-paced league.
On the other hand, Atlanta United (6-11-7 points) thought they had three points in the bag after taking the lead against New York City, only to end up losing 3-2. Interim manager Rob Valentino expressed his frustration but was determined to bounce back in the upcoming game against the Crew. Atlanta will face a tough challenge against a Crew side that has been dominating opponents, outscoring them 21-3 in the past six matches.
Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan acknowledged the difficult moment his team was facing but emphasized the need to keep pushing forward. He will have his work cut out for him trying to contain Cucho Hernandez, who has been in excellent form with nine goals and six assists in the last eight matches.
Both teams will be missing key players, with Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte and Atlanta defender Caleb Wiley out due to their participation in the Olympics. Additionally, Atlanta defender Stian Gregersen will be serving a red-card suspension for the upcoming match.
Despite the challenges and setbacks faced by both teams, they are determined to put on a strong performance and secure a much-needed victory. The upcoming match promises to be a thrilling showdown between two competitive teams looking to turn their fortunes around.