Major League Soccer released the full 2023 season schedule today. Here are the Atlanta United matches you should be looking forward to most.
First game/Home opener: Feb. 25 - 7:30 pm ET vs. San Jose Earthquakes
A nice, gentle way to ease into the season. Probably. I mean, it should be. San Jose will be in their first game under Luchi Gonzalez and the roster isn't exactly stacked. There are worse ways to start the season. It will just feel nice to get back in MBS either way, right?
Just a quick trip up I-85 - March 11 - 12 p.m. ET at Charlotte FC
The second most-likely road trip to see a whole bunch of Atlanta United fans at. Just a quick trip up to Bank of America Stadium before realizing you're in Charlotte for the night with nothing to do except find out what banks people work at ... Hey, it starts at 12, maybe you can make a day of it?
Remember MLS Cup? - March 18 - 7:30 p.m. ET vs. Portland Timbers
This might be the biggest home game of the season? At least when it comes to teams Atlanta doesn't see often and how many eyes might be on it. These are two of the league's biggest clubs and it's an excellent excuse to show highlights of the 2018 MLS Cup over and over.
Just a quick trip up I-75 and I-24 - Apr. 27 - 1:30 p.m. ET at Nashville SC
The best road trip of the year! And, once again, an Eastern Conference game. With the Coyotes back in the conference this year, Atlanta will welcome them to MBS on Aug. 26. Maybe having two games in a season again will help make this a bit more of a rivalry.
Just a quick trip ... across the entire country - June 3 - 10:30 p.m. ET at LAFC
Atlanta United versus the reigning MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield winners. The last time the Five Stripes went to LA, things got bonkers very, very quickly. It wouldn't be surprising to see the same thing this year in an MLS After Dark extravaganza.
Your chance to boo Jose Martinez - July 2 - 4 p.m. ET vs. Philadelphia Union
I personally love the Union. I know other folks don't feel quite the same way. Either way, it's a chance to see the East's best team of the last five years up close.
Your chance to boo anyone in purple - July 15 - 7:30 p.m. ET vs. Orlando City
I'm told folks in Atlanta do not care for Orlando.
Just another quick trip ... across the entire country - Aug. 20 - 10:30 p.m. ET at Seattle Sounders
A Lag-derb-wey. Or, um, a Lagerweyico. Or ... uh ... look, probably best to refrain from trying to name this one. It's Seattle-Atlanta. You're gonna watch.
Miami featuring ... special guest? - Sep. 16 - 7:30 p.m. ET vs. Inter Miami
I don't want to get anyone's hopes up. I think the odds of all the proper events conspiring to bring Lionel Messi to Atlanta are very, very low. He may or may not be at Miami by September, though. And if someone can convince him to play on Atlanta's not-so-friendly turf, then the Five Stripes might set a new attendance record. Just keep your fingers crossed.
Decision Day - Oct. 21 - Time to be announced at FC Cincinnati
Atlanta seemingly won't have an easy landing at the end of the season. The Five Stripes will face Montreal, Philadelphia, Columbus and FC Cincinnati to close the season. Better go ahead and have a playoff spot locked up well before then. Just in case.
