New York City FC return to action on Sunday evening with a first-ever trip to Atlanta.
It’s the second meeting of these teams this season but what has changed since the last time they threw down?
Key Stats
- Atlanta United and NYCFC met in New York two weeks ago and NYCFC walked out with a 3-1 victory against the expansion side.
- Atlanta has played four home games this year (2W-2L). Every other team in the league has played at least five, and six teams have already played seven home games.
- NYCFC has won three of their last five away games (1L-1D). They had three road wins in their previous 12 MLS regular season games.
- Atlanta’s 19.5% conversion rate (including blocks) is the highest of any MLS team. Chicago (15.7%) is the only other team with a conversion rate higher than 15%.
- David Villa’s penalty goal against Orlando City last weekend was his 13th in MLS action. Only one other player has double-digit penalty goals since the start of the 2015 season (Feilhaber-10).
- Miguel Almirón has scored five left-footed goals this season, tied for the most in MLS entering this week.
- David Villa has scored three goals in the final 15 minutes of matches this season. Only Portland’s Fanendo Adi (4) has more.
- Greg Garza has created 11 chances for Atlanta United this season, tied for the fourth-most among defenders.
- In 634 minutes with Andrea Pirlo on the pitch this season, NYCFC averaged 1.1 goals for and 1.3 goals conceded per 90. In 504 minutes without him, the club sees those numbers morph to 2.5 goals for and 0.7 goals conceded per 90.
- 22 of Atlanta’s 24 goals this season have come from open play, the most by any MLS team. 85% of the goals NYCFC has conceded this season (11 of 15) has come from open play, the highest percentage in the league.
Last Time
NYCFC ran out emphatic victors in the first-ever meeting between these two teams at Yankee Stadium earlier this month.
The Last Game
Atlanta United defeated Houston Dynamo 4-1 in their last game on Saturday, thanks to a Miguel Almiron hat-trick.
Recent Form
That victory over Houston was their first in three games following that defeat to NYCFC, a draw against Portland and a loss to DC. Gerardo Martino’s men are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, five points behind Sunday’s visitors.
