Of all the MLS teams entered into the CONCACAF Champions League this season, Atlanta United looked to be the strongest. The defending MLS Cup champions have gone through something of a transition since the end of last season, losing their head coach Tata Martino and star man Miguel Almiron, but they’d done enough in their recruitment, hiring Frank de Boer and signing Pity Martinez, to convince many that they’d remain competitive.
Sunday’s defeat to D.C. United has raised questions against Atlanta United, as has the CONCACAF Champions League round of 16 first leg defeat to Herediano of Costa Rica. De Boer’s side managed to overturn a 3-1 deficit in the second leg with a comprehensive 4-0 victory of their own, but there have been some teething problems for the Dutchman.
Now, he faces an early season test of credentials, with de Boer’s side up against Monterrey in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals this week. The Mexican side are arguably the toughest draw Atlanta United could have been handed right now, heading into Wednesday’s game in exceptional form.
Indeed, Monterrey have yet to lose a single game in 2019. Their 2-0 win over Chivas at the weekend extended their unbeaten start to the season to 11 games, of which they have won seven and drawn four. Over that run, Diego Alonso’s side have also scored 23 times and have conceded only eight, keeping four clean sheets in a row ahead of the clash with Atlanta United.
Monterrey remain the sole unbeaten side in Liga MX this season, with table-toppers Tigres only ahead through fewer drawn games. They have a squad capable of competing both on the domestic and continental front. Aviles Hurtado, Rogelio Funes Mori and Maximiliano Meza were all rested on the bench for the win over Chivas. Jose Basanta wasn’t in the matchday squad.
Alonso’s side haven’t even hit top gear yet and that is surely a worry for Atlanta United. This is a team and a club with real ambition, much like the MLS Cup champions. Both teams will be required to take things to another level on Wednesday, but on the basis of recent form Monterrey might well be the better bet to do that.
Graham Ruthven is a soccer writer based in the U.K. He has written for the New York Times, Guardian, Eurosport, Bleacher Report, and others.