MLS Match Preview: Atlanta United FC (4-10-7) vs. Chicago Fire FC (8-9-4)

Matchup: Atlanta United FC (4–10–7) vs. Chicago Fire FC (8–9–4)
Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta, GA
Broadcast: Apple TV (MLS Season Pass)

Team Overview

Atlanta United FC

Standing: 25th in MLS (Eastern Conference: 13th)

Last 5 Matches: D-D-L-L-L

Goals Scored: 23 (1.1 per match)

Goals Conceded: 38 (1.8 per match)

Key Players:

Emmanuel Latte Lath — 5 goals

Saba Lobzhanidze — 5 assists

Brooks Lennon — 2 goals, 3 assists

Recent Form: Winless in last 5; scored just 2 goals in that span

Home Record: 4-3-3

Chicago Fire FC

Standing: 17th in MLS (Eastern Conference: 10th)

Last 5 Matches: L-L-W-L-L

Goals Scored: 40 (1.9 per match — 4th in MLS)

Goals Conceded: 38 (1.8 per match)

Key Players:

Hugo Cuypers — 10 goals

Philip Zinckernagel — 9 goals, 6 assists

Brian Gutierrez — 7 goals

Recent Form: 1 win in last 6; 71 shots and 6 goals in last 5 matches

Away Record: 6-5-0

Head-to-Head Insights

Last Meeting: May 10, 2025 — Chicago Fire 2, Atlanta United 1

H2H Record (Last 10): Atlanta 4 wins, Chicago 3 wins, 3 draws

Mercedes-Benz Stadium Trend: Atlanta has won 6 straight home games vs. Chicago

Goals Trend: Over 2.5 goals in 7 of last 10 meetings

BTTS (Both Teams to Score): Hit in 5 of last 10 matchups

Tactical Breakdown

Key Matchups

Brooks Lennon vs. Philip Zinckernagel — Lennon’s overlapping runs vs. Zinckernagel’s creative midfield play

Emmanuel Latte Lath vs. Jack Elliott — Atlanta’s top scorer faces Chicago’s aerial anchor

Brian Gutierrez vs. Bartosz Slisz — Gutierrez’s attacking spark vs. Slisz’s defensive midfield control

Expected Formations

Atlanta United (4-2-3-1): Guzan; Lennon, Morales, Abram, Amador; Slisz, Muyumba; Miranchuk, Almirón, Lobzhanidze; Latte Lath

Chicago Fire (4-2-3-1): Brady; Gutman, Rogers, Elliott, Barroso; Pineda, Oregel; Gutierrez, Zinckernagel, Bamba; Cuypers