Tools for the game: How Atlanta can win at home and extend the series against Inter Miami CF

It feels good to come home after three straight away games for Atlanta United last week. The 5-Stripes host Inter Miami CF in the second game of the first-round best-of-3 series. After narrowly losing their opening game 2-1, the team is excited to return home and play in front of the loudest, loudest crowd in MLS. Atlanta must win, whether in regulation time or in the shootout, to force a Game 3 next week in Fort Lauderdale. Let's take a look at the tools to the match that Home Depot presented against Inter Miami CF.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium can be one of the most intimidating stadiums to play in. Especially when capacity is expanded to the maximum and all levels of the stands are open. Guest players know it and feel it. The 5-Stripes know it and feel it too. In the playoffs, that energy and those emotions are heightened again. In the club's eight-year history, Atlanta has played five playoff games at full capacity at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The team is 4-0-1 (WLT) in those games and has outscored opponents 9-1 in those five games. It's time to add another stunning win to the list this weekend.

One of the keys to victory on Saturday night will be the start of the game. Last time, Miami took an early lead in the second minute. Atlanta needs to stay focused better from the opening whistle. If they can do that and feed off the energy that the entire event audience will bring, that would be a big step towards victory on Saturday night. That doesn't necessarily mean that the team has to score straight away. Sometimes a clean tackle, a frantic move to keep a ball in play or a good pressing move to win the ball back high up can send the crowd into a roaring frenzy. The 5-Stripes will need to utilize every ounce of energy the 17s will bring into this game this weekend.

After a long and tiring season so far, it's important to win on Saturday evening to keep the season going. When the legs get tired on Saturday, the team needs the support of the crowd to keep pushing and keep running. This home advantage is the best in MLS and the team will need it again on Saturday to beat a top team like Miami. Come out early. Be loud. Be a rowdy. Be proud.