What formation will Atlanta United use against the Portland Timbers when they host the MLS Cup?
Atlanta Head Coach Tata Martino is not one to tip his hand, often the posted formation is not the formation the team is actually playing. Numerous times the posted formation from the lineup is a simple 4-3-3 but that is not the formation being used in game.
Martino is one of the most stubborn coaches in the MLS. He does not tinker with his line-up and goes with what is working. If he stays true to this he will go with the more defensive formation of a 3-5-2 or 5-3-2. This is the formation he has been using throughout most of the season and exclusively in the four playoff matches. However, he could decide to be more offensive and go with the 4-2-3-1 used almost exclusively last season and at times earlier in this season.
Go with what is working
The most likely formation would be the more aggressive form of the defensive 3-5-2. This formation would have three in the back line: Jeff Larentowicz, Michael Parkhurst, Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez. This back three have been solid throughout the playoffs. The midfield would be loaded with
Greg Garza and Franco Escobar moving up and down the wings. The middle of the midfield would be anchored by the more defensive minded deep-lying Eric Remedi with Darlington Nagbe and Julian Gressel on the sides providing service to the two forwards. The two forwards would be the best tandem in the MLS with Josef Martínez and Miguel Almirón, who would have the freedom to roam and find gaps to exploit.
Go offensive
Tata could throw a wrinkle in and change from the strong defensive formation to a more offensive approach. Earlier in the season he lamented the defense-heavy three center back formation and wanted to see a more attacking formation deployed. He could choose to revert to the 4-2-3-1 used earlier in his tenure. This formation could have the someone like Franco Escobar replaced with Héctor “Tito” Villalba or Ezequiel Barco and having Julian Gressel slide into the Escobar defensive responsibilities while moving up and down the wings as a more powerful offensive presence than what Escobar provides.
Reserves
The bench would include the offensive firepower of Héctor “Tito” Villalba and Ezequiel Barco as super subs. They could enter the match late to add fresh legs and additional offensive capabilities. From the defensive side, the bench would most likely include veterans Chris McCann and Kevin Kratz plus youngster Miles Robinson. Included on the bench would also be back goalkeeper Alec Kann.
Injury Report
Those who will not be part of this match due to injury are Sal Zizzo out with a season-ending right knee injury, Mikey Ambrose also out with season-ending right knee surgery and Romario Williams out with an ankle injury.
Atlanta United in a 3-5-2 formation.
