We've seen expansion and teams moving in other sports in the United States, but teams don't seem to get anywhere near as excited for anything else as they do about the MLS nowadays. The city of Atlanta gets to shine for the MLS for the very first time on Sunday at its temporary home, Bobby Dodd Stadium against one of the true bluebloods of the MLS, the New York Red Bulls.
At 7:30 p.m. ET, tune into FOX Sports 1 for live television coverage of this MLS match on Sunday, March 5, 2017, at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Atlanta United +175
New York Red Bulls +140
Draw +220
Over/Under 2.5
Odds Analysis
Atlanta United really has the look of an expansion team this year, and that concerns us. So many of the top teams in the MLS who have come in during this recent wave of expansion have had at least a few really core players to hang their hats on, but this just isn't the case for AUFC.
That said, this is a rare case of a team playing at home actually being an underdog in the MLS. Home field advantage always rules in this league, and away points always turn out to be crucial. NYRB though, is still only set at +140 on the moneyline and surely could watch this match swing either way.
Atlanta United Season Preview
Atlanta United went down a very similar road that Orlando City traveled a couple years ago in its expansion campaign. The team decided to go with a very South American flavor, bringing in Gerardo "Tata" Martino to run the team. Not surprisingly, he has brought in a ton of what will be defined as "rookies" to the MLS from South America.
Josef Martinez, Hector Villalba, Yamil Asad, Miguel Almiron, Carlos Carmona… These are all South American international players who figure to make an impact early in the MLS. That said, Kenwyne Jones is perhaps the most interesting player on the squad, a Trinidadian striker who is tremendous in the air and could be playing for some of the bigger clubs in Europe.
New York Red Bulls Season Preview
The Red Bulls are changing a heck of a lot this season. They're going to get away from their 4-2-3-1 formation they've used for years and years and will be using two strikers up top in a more European traditional 4-4-2 format, and that opened the door for allowing for the trade of Dax McCarty to Chicago. Shawn Wright-Phillips is gone as well, and that has allowed this team to become a heck of a lot younger.
What's interesting though, is that the Red Bulls are turning to their USL squad for the replacements for the vets. Most are very excited about Tyler Adams and Aaron Long, both of whom are young and figure to step in as starters immediately.
That said, there are still some vets here for sure in Bradley Wright-Phillips and Sacha Kljestan, both of whom should be early candidates for MLS MVP.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
There's a lot working for Atlanta United in this match. AUFC will run into its problems when it starts the grueling away schedule, but here at home, particularly early in the campaign, fatigue shouldn't be an issue, and emotions should be high. Meanwhile, the Red Bulls are a heck of a lot younger than we're used to seeing, and that could leave some holes on the pitch. Had McCarty come back, he could have been used as a mentor and a veteran presence, but instead, he was dealt, and the team is looking for a new skipper, both in the locker room and on the pitch.
That said, we'll go with Atlanta U in this one. The hosts will have a greater home field advantage later in the year when it gets to leave Bobby Dodd, but the emotion could carry this team to victory on opening day.
MLS Odds: Atlanta United 2, New York Red Bulls 1
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