Atlas visits Atlanta United in a Leagues Cup tie

This Wednesday at 5:30 PM, Atlas will close out its participation in the 2025 Leagues Cup group stage by facing Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It will be a match with no implications for qualification, but the goal is to avoid last place among Liga MX clubs , after a tournament that represented a failure for the Zorros.

The red-and-black team arrives with no points after losing to Inter Miami and Orlando City , leaving them without a chance of advancing to the next round. A third defeat would be catastrophic for the international project the club hoped to consolidate in this binational competition.

Coach Gonzalo Pineda acknowledged that, although the commitment has minimal sporting value, he will take advantage of the opportunity to continue evaluating his squad. During this Leagues Cup, the coach has surprised players with two completely different lineups in previous matches , decisions he justified by the need to manage physical strain and prevent injuries.

“It wasn't the initial plan to rotate so much, but the physical conditions after demanding matches, with extreme humidity and heat, and playing with one less man in Monterrey, forced us to take care of many players. These decisions aren't always popular, but they allow us to keep the group fresh and healthy, also with a view to Liga MX,” Pineda explained.

The match will have a special meaning for the Atlético manager, as Atlanta United was the first team he managed as head coach. However, he made it clear that emotions will not influence his approach . "Of course, it's special to greet old acquaintances, but once the game starts, I'm fully focused on my team," he commented.

As for the absences, Víctor Ríos will be doubtful until the last minute due to muscle discomfort, while Matías Cóccaro is suspended, and Paulo Ramírez continues to work at the AGA Academy to regain his competitive rhythm.

For Atlas, the clash in Atlanta will be more of a test of character than a formality . Avoiding a three-game losing streak is crucial to further tarnishing the club's image and, above all, to regaining confidence ahead of Liga MX, where the next match will be against Pachuca, the current leader of the 2025 Apertura tournament.