Deadspin | Atlanta United hope to improve defense vs. surging Dallas FC

Atlanta United, searching for their first winning streak of the season, will welcome surging FC Dallas on Saturday night in interconference play.

Atlanta (2-2-2, 8 points) had its best offensive showing of the season last Saturday, rallying from a two-goal deficit to post a 4-3 home win over New York City FC to snap a four-game winless skid.

Trailing 3-1 in the 62nd minute, Atlanta saw the margin cut in half after a New York City own goal. Then Miguel Almiron netted his first goal with the club since his first stint ended in 2018 and newcomer Emmanuel Latte Lath scored the game-winner in the 84th minute.

The team’s offense is far from a problem, connecting on six goals in its last two games, but it’s the other side of the ball that head coach Ronny Deila wants to see improve.

“We know we’re going to score goals. I’m not worried about that. We scored four (Saturday),” Deila said. “But we need to defend as a team and we need to attack as a team. When that clicks, then we will be very, very, good.”

Dallas (3-2-1, 10 points) enters Saturday winners in two straight, including last week’s 2-1 home victory over Sporting Kansas City. The club was dealt bad news this week, however, as starting defender Marco Farfan underwent surgery on both legs and will be out for two months.

In his place, 20-year-old Nolan Norris earned his first career start last Saturday, and will likely be called upon again to help slow down Atlanta’s red-hot offense.

“Just like any player on this team, my job is to help win games,” Norris said. “From Day 1, head coach (Eric) Quill has come in and tried to change the culture. … We work so hard during the week, when we give up a goal like we did (Saturday), we know we have the talent and the mentality to come back. It’s a testament to the work ethic of this team.”

Luciano Acosta leads Dallas with three goals, followed by Petar Musa’s two.

–Field Level Media