Atlanta United forward Emmanuel Latte Lath (center) dribbles during the first half of the match against Cincinnati FC at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta UnitedAtlanta United return home on Saturday night to host NYCFC, the former club of cur rent Atlanta manager Ronny Deila. The match comes on the heels of a 2-2 draw at Cincinnati that leaves Atlanta 1-2-2 in five games, one of the worst five-game starts in franchise history. That said, there were several positive moments during the match that bode well for Atlanta United as the club heads into a three-match home stand at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Striker Emmanuel Latte Lath scored his fourth goal of the season and Atlanta United 2 regular midfielder Will Reilly played 90 minutes on Saturday and more than held his own during his first career start. “MLS 360” lead host Kevin Egan took time to talk to The Atlanta Voice for a preview of the match against NYCFC. Airing on Apple TV+ and MLS Season Pass, “MLS 360” (and also the “Wrap Up” evening Sunday show) offers subscribers a look into all of the MLS matches of the weekend.Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan looks to play the ball forward during the first half of the match against Cincinnati FC at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta UnitedThe Atlanta Voice: Will Atlanta United ever win another match?Kevin Egan: Of course they will, Atlanta United will be a really good team this year. Right now what they are in the midst of is the figuring out process, a teething phase of a brand new coach, with a new technical director, and a new team with new superstars.AV: What does a match against his former club mean to Ronny Deila in his first season as Atlanta United manager or is it just another match?KE: It means something. Ronny Deila may be the first one to say that it doesn’t and it’s just another match. But who can forget the incredible scenes with Ronny Deila stripping down to just his boxer shorts after [winning] MLS Cup in 2021, in Portland. They struck gold at the right time of the year and became a good solid time. They weren’t a great team all year, but NYCFC found form at the right time. Ronny Deila enjoyed an incredible time in New York City, so no doubt it’s a special game for him.AV: With the amount of money the front office has spent on Miguel Almiron and Emmanuel Latte Lath this past offseason, will a loss to NYCFC at home on Sunday be time to panic?KE: Atlanta has a $15-million-dollar attack and this team is incredibly methodical in how they go about recruiting players. So I have no doubt it will be a success this season, but it may just take a few games to figure it out.AV: Will there be a benefit to getting a NYCFC team that is coming off of a consecutive road match? Atlanta United hasn’t particularly been a world-beater at home this season.KE: I don’t think there’s any benefit to playing NYCFC right now. NYCFC has already gone on the road to Miami and picked up a point. They have gone on the road to Columbus and picked up a point. They have had a really difficult journey so far this season and this side has grown in confidence on the road, and they have become not only solid defensively, under [manager] Pascal Jansen, but also the counterattack with Alonso Martinez, Julian Fernandez, Hannes Wolf is a serious threat for Atlanta United next week.AV: Alexey Miranchuk has been the topic of conversation in Atlanta soccer circles and unfortunately not for the best reasons. How much will Atlanta need him to start playing well in order to pick up three points against NYCFC on Saturday night or at any other repoint during the three-game homestand?KE: I think Alexey Miranchuk is going to be the player in Major League Soccer who is going to produce a lot of receipts for a lot of folks who are criticizing him at the end of the year. He is a magician on the ball, but it just needs to work around him. So the runners need to stay out of his space and if possible, he needs to form that telepathic relationship with them. And that will happen. Alexey Miranchuk will become the creator for Atlanta United that the team needs. He’s too good of a player for it not to work here in Major League Soccer.AV: Lastly, tell me if I’m wrong, but I believe three points on Saturday night could turn this season around. I know it’s only match six of the season, but I think it can be a transformative moment. Thoughts?KE: I tend to agree here. I do think the team could go on a run if they get a win against New York City. The fact that they haven’t won since opening day is not that concerning, but it will start to creep into the group if they don’t start to feel a victory again soon. When you go four games in a row without winning and you just pick up two points, that certainly starts to set in with the players more than anything.No, listen, Atlanta United against Cincinnati were without 10 players, so bringing back key players and getting Mateusz Klich fully fit and firing for this team is going to be absolutely crucial. I do think Atlanta will be a really good team come the end of the season, but right now, four games without a win for this group with that attack isn’t good enough. But I know things will change soon.A victory on Saturday night against New York City could propel this team forward onto a lovely winning run.The post ‘I do think Atlanta will be a really good team come the end of the season’: Apple TV+ ‘MLS 360’ host Kevin Egan talks Atlanta United/NYCFC appeared first on The Atlanta Voice. ...read more read less