Sports

Atlanta United Set To Return, But With No Fans In Attendance And A New Coach

August 20th, 2020

On July 11, Atlanta United defender Fernando Meza (6) and forward Adam Jahn (14) react after a play during an MLS soccer match against the New York Red Bulls in Kissimmee, Florida. After several weeks of revamping the Five Stripes’ approach, interim coach Stephen Glass says he feels good going into Saturday’s game.

Phelan M. Ebenhack / Associated Press file

Atlanta United returns to the field Saturday, but the team will have a different look on the sidelines.

After a disastrous tournament last month in which Atlanta United didn’t score a goal, the team parted ways with head coach Frank de Boer.

In his place on an interim basis is Stephen Glass, the 44-year-old native of Scotland, who was most recently coaching Atlanta United 2, the team’s affiliate club.

After several weeks of revamping the Five Stripes’ approach, Glass says he feels good going into Saturday.

“There’s an obvious pressure; there’s an obvious scrutiny, but a lot of that comes from the workload and demand that you put on yourself,” said Glass.

Glass said he’s not concerned that Atlanta United hasn’t faced any competition in more than a month.

“I think the players will respond. I’m sure they will,” said Glass. “They’ve been fantastic in training. I think they’re looking forward to the opportunity to play against another group of players.”

Veteran Atlanta goalie Brad Guzan says the team has responded well to the coaching change.

“Glassy and his staff, they’re now giving the freedom and the responsibility to the players to go in and think for themselves and be forward-thinking players,” said Guzan.

Midfielder Emerson Hyndman says Glass has tried to put his own stamp on the team.

“I think he has his own ideas that everyone’s gotten on board with. I think that’s a huge thing,” said Hyndman. “Because anyone can have ideas, but if the team’s not around it, then I think it kind of falls and doesn’t do anything. But for us, I think we’re all inspired by it.”

Game time Saturday is 7 p.m. against Nashville. Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be empty because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but recorded crowd noise is expected to be piped in.