One look at the MLS standings tells you immediately that Atlanta United is in great position at the two-thirds-point of the season in an effort to take home MLS’s Supporters Shield (a trophy given to the top team in MLS at the end of the regular season). The Five Stripes have the highest point total in the league, and only trail New York Red Bulls in points-per-game this season.
But team captain Michael Parkhurst said before training Thursday that there’s a different mentality to the team this season as it prepares for the final stretch run of the regular season ahead of next week’s MLS All-Star Game.