Atlanta United welcome Columbus Crew in Eastern Conference test

Jonathan Turner
Sep 12, 2025
1 min read

NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com

ATLANTA — Atlanta United return from the international break aiming to turn training-ground momentum into points when the Five Stripes host the Columbus Crew on Saturday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass.

Head coach Ronny Deila, appointed in December, has stressed defensive organization and mentality throughout the week as Atlanta seek a late push up the table. Club training notes this week highlighted compact shape and short-field defensive work as priorities heading into the matchup.

Atlanta’s group reconvened with several players filtering back from national-team duty, and staff expected to finalize selections closer to matchday after recovery sessions. The emphasis: carry over the defensive intensity from training while sharpening transition moments at home.

Columbus, led by Wilfried Nancy, arrive with a possession-heavy approach and the scoring threat of Diego Rossi, testing Atlanta’s structure between the lines. The home side’s “tools to the match” messaging has focused on breaking rhythm, winning second balls and managing set pieces inside the dome

Saturday is the first leg of a September stretch that features multiple Eastern opponents for Atlanta, with the club underscoring matchday routines and home-field details at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Up next: After Columbus, Atlanta continue a busy month with another home date before closing September on the road.