Ladies and gentleman, Friday evening is the beginning of one of the most anticipated tournaments of the year, and what better way to kick it off than with two MLS Eastern Conference rivals. It’s the 2024 edition of Leagues Cup, a competition featuring the biggest clubs from Canada, the United States and Mexico — kicking off with Atlanta United and D.C. United at 8 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be the venue for this highly anticipated game from group East 7. In last year’s Leagues Cup, Atlanta United was unable to advance beyond the group stage, behind Inter Miami CF and Cruz Azul; while D.C. United advanced as a second-place team in group East 2 — just one point behind group winner Pumas — later eliminated by the Philadelphia Union in a penalty shootout in the knockout stage.
The reality for these two teams is different now, as they are both currently outside the MLS playoff line. Looking to change their respective destinies by lifting their spirits alongside the League Cup trophy.
Through 25 regular season MLS games, Atlanta sits ninth in the Eastern Conference with 28 points and D.C. United is in 13th place with 26 points.
These two clubs share an interesting recent history. The home team has the better record across their last five head-to-head MLS matches, (home sides are 3-1-1). However the last time they played in Atlanta, it was a visiting D.C. that secured the victory, 3-2, in May; similarly, in June, a visiting Atlanta took maximum points via a 1-0 win.
With dangerous players on both sides of the pitch, Friday’s 2024 tournament kickoff could be another close match.
Atlanta United’s Norwegian defender Stian Gregersen has already scored two goals in 11 starts across the last 14 matches.
D.C. United, on the other hand, will depend on towering frontman Christian Benteke. The veteran Belgian international has scored 16 goals this season and added three assists; he already has two more goals in 10 fewer games compared to last year.
