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The difference between Atlanta United FC and the Colorado Rapids Saturday was that one side was armed with Miguel Almiron and the other side was not.

Almiron found the back of the net twice and assisted on a Hector “Tito” Villalba goal in the Five Stripes 3-0 win over the Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City.

The Paraguayan midfielder was also stellar on defense, notching a pair of tackles and an interception. Almiron also drew three fouls for free kicks.

For Atlanta United (17-5-6), the win puts them atop the New York Red Bulls by two points in the race for the Supporters’ Shield. New York faces D.C. United Sunday.

The scoring started quickly for Atlanta. On a counter attack in the 10th minute, Julian Gressel collected a pass from Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez and took it down the right sideline. After two touches, Gressel fired a low, hard cross from the wing into the box. A sprinting Almiron met the ball, stopped, and then kicked it over Tim Howard’s head.

Almiron then added his second goal eight minutes later. Eric Remedi recovered a loose ball in midfield and kicked it on to Josef Martinez. Almiron and Martinez sprinted into the box together, and Martinez sliced the ball between a defender’s legs, leading to an easy and open shot for Almiron. 

Almiron, who has 11 goals, struck for multiple goals for the first time since June 30, when he netted a brace in a home victory over Orlando City.

In the 37th minute, Almiron provided an assist to Villalba for the third score of the game — and Almiron’s 12th assist of the season — putting extra cushion between the Five Stripes and the Rapids. The play started when Gressel, who also has 12 assists this season, fired the ball up field to Almiron. After taking a touch, Almiron fired a low cross across his body to Villalba, who chipped the ball past Howard.

For Gressel, it was his first multi-assist game since May 28, 2017, when he dished out two dimes for Atlanta in a 3-1 win over NYCFC. The versatile German also tallied 37 successful passes and two tackles on Saturday.

Atlanta coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino deployed a 3-5-2 formation in the victory. He started Darlington Nagbe in the midfield and left regular starters Ezequiel Barco and Franco Escobar on the bench. Barco later subbed in for Villalba.

It marked the first time Nagbe had played in a match since he suffered an injury to his abductor in June. He played 77 minutes and was perfect on his 33 passes.

Colorado (6-16-6) suffered a fourth straight loss. Kellyn Acosta played 90 minutes and took four shots, but just one on target. Acosta had a chance to tie things up in the 14th minute when he was taken down 20 yards from goal, but his free kick soared over the crossbar.

In total, Colorado fired 18 shots, but just three were on target. Atlanta’s Brad Guzan had three saves and claimed a cross.

Cole Bassett, Colorado’s 17-year-old homegrown midfielder, made his home debut in the 82nd minute when he subbed on for Bismark Boateng. In his second MLS game, Bassett was successful on seven passes.

Colorado will have to wait a week to bounce back from this loss. They travel to Columbus to face the Crew on Sept. 22. Atlanta United has a quick turnaround and will play in San Jose against the Earthquakes on Wednesday.

The post Miguel Almiron, Atlanta United cruise to victory over Colorado Rapids appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Here is how to watch all Major League Soccer matches live in Week 29 on TV or streaming. You can follow along with our live scores and stats throughout the weekend as well.

Saturday, Sept. 15

Sunday, Sept. 16

The post How to watch MLS on TV, live stream Week 29 appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

MARIETTA, Ga. — After 13 days off, Atlanta United FC will resume Major League Soccer play Saturday and continue its quest to capture the Supporters’ Shield.

The Five Stripes are already in Colorado, set for a 3:30 p.m. clash with the Rapids. It’s the first of three games Atlanta will play during a span of eight days. Trailing the New York Red Bulls by one point in the race for the Supporters Shield, every game is a must-win.

“Going out to Colorado, you have to deal with the altitude. It’s going to be hot. It’s a day game, so there’s those factors, but it’s stuff we’ve dealt with in the past,” said Atlanta captain Michael Parkhurst. “Every game is important right now.”

The Rapids have struggled this season, totaling an overall record of 6-15-6. Still, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City is a difficult place to play for the rest of league. At 5,164 feet above sea level, that altitude can be tough for players to adjust to.

That’s still true for 34-year-old Parkhurst, who has played in Colorado many times in his eight-season MLS career.

“(The altitude) definitely takes an affect. In my past experiences, usually the first 30 minutes or so are the toughest,” Parkhurst said. “I think once you get past that, you get your second air, you get adjusted and used to it and I don’t think it’s much of a factor.”

While Colorado has been arguably awful this season, posting a goal differential of -19, the Rapids at least have been decent at home. Out of 14 games in Commerce City this year, the Rapids have won five and taken points in three more.

The altitude can affect a player’s fitness, but it can also impact how the ball moves as well. Goal kicks fly farther, shots from distance come quicker at the keeper and long passes can be unpredictable.

Veteran goalkeeper Brad Guzan doesn’t seem to be worried about how the elements will impact his game.

“I’ve played there a few times, so hopefully I keep the ball inbounds more often than not,” Guzan said. “You adjust accordingly, but nothing really changes. In terms of fitness, obviously there’s going to be moments in the game where we may not be able to press the way we’d like to at certain times, but in saying that, we’re fit, we feel good, we’re ready. We know it’s going to be a tough game on the road, but regardless of altitude or heat or weather conditions, we’ll fight through it.”

Atlanta head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino didn’t seem too worried, either. When a reporter asked him Thursday about how it might impact the game, Martino pointed out several Atlanta United players have played the game in South America, in places like La Paz, Quito and Bogota, where the elevation can range from 8,000 to about 9,500 feet above sea level.

Martino seemed more concerned with how Colorado will play, rather than where they play. The Rapids are winless in their last three games and getting a result at home could give them some momentum to end the season on a high note.

“They’re a team who I think has improved. I think the addition of Kellyn Acosta has improved them,” Martino said through a translator.

Acosta, a 5-foot-10, 23-year-old midfielder, arrived to Colorado in July when the club completed a trade with FC Dallas. In his six starts with the Rapids, Acosta has two goals and two assists. The Rapids are 2-3-1 in games he’s played in.

The influx of Acosta coincided with a tactical switch for the Rapids. Head coach Anthony Hudson went from playing five in the back to a 4-4-2 diamond.

A strategy teams have employed previously against Atlanta is to bunker down in hopes of stalling the offense or drawing a players into a red card. With Acosta and a nothing-to-lose attitude, the Rapids may try something different, and that could make them a dangerous opponent.

“Even though it’s a team that maybe has a slim chance of entering the playoffs, I think that’s a challenge for them to finish the season playing well,” Martino said. “And surely they’ll be up for the challenge of facing a good team at home.”

The post Atlanta United set to take on altitude, Acosta in clash with Colorado Rapids appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.