Atlanta United opening day in Mercedes-Benz 2018.
Preview
Atlanta United looks to expand on their success at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where they won their home opener is convincing fashion over D.C. United. On Saturday they host the Vancouver Whitecaps, who has started the season with back to back wins and is looking good, collecting all six points and doing it both at home and on the road. Last week the Whitecaps beat the Houston Dynamo in Houston, something that only happened to the Dynamo once last season. Atlanta opened their season in Houston, they fell behind 4-0 before halftime and looked completely overwhelmed.
The last time these two teams met, was in Vancouver where Atlanta struggled to defend against the tall Vancouver defender Kendall Waston and his aerial prowess. Waston used his strength and height to create dangerous chances and resulted in a goal and an assist has Vancouver scored three times to win at home in BC Place 3-1.
Broadcast Details
TV on MLS Live | Fox Sports South – 7:30 p.m.
Atlanta United
Last week coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino decided to change the tactical formation with enormous success. This change generated a lot of press and discussion. The three-man back line was not tested against the defensive-minded D.C. United team. This week the focus will not be on formation, the team focused on defending set pieces in training.
Tata Martino talked about the struggle defending set pieces and corners, “The first thing is to not concede fouls or give up corners. We have to be attentive and good in our marking. They have some tall and physical players.”
Team captain Michael Parkhurst also talked about the team approach, “Set pieces are always a concern. We have to go out there with the right mentality, the right fight and courage to go up there and win balls. We don’t want to give away many set pieces if we don’t have to, and when they do happen we have to man up to the challenge and do our best and make sure to help each other out.”
Last week coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino decided to change the tactical formation with enormous success. This change generated a lot of press and discussion. The three-man back line was not tested against the defensive-minded D.C. United team. This week the focus will not be on formation, the team focused on defending set pieces in training.
Tata Martino talked about the struggle defending set pieces and corners, “The first thing is to not concede fouls or give up corners. We have to be attentive and good in our marking. They have some tall and physical players.”
Team captain Michael Parkhurst also talked about the team approach, “Set pieces are always a concern. We have to go out there with the right mentality, the right fight and courage to go up there and win balls. We don’t want to give away many set pieces if we don’t have to, and when they do happen we have to man up to the challenge and do our best and make sure to help each other out.”
Squad Details
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- Injury Report:
OUT: Ezequiel Barco (strained right quad); Jon Gallagher (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: Brandon Vazquez (unknown)
Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1)
- GK: Brad Guzan
- Defenders (4): Franco Escobar, Michael Parkhurst, Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez, Matt Garza
- Holding Midfielders (2): Jeff Larentowicz, Darlington Nagbe
- Attack Midfielders (3): Hector Villalba, Miguel Almiron, Julian Gressel
- Striker (1): Josef Martinez
Vancouver Whitecaps
For the Vancouver Whitecaps the big story has been the addition of MLS veteran Kei Kamara bringing more fire power. The eleven-season veteran, who played for the New England Revolution last season, still has a strong instinct for scoring, and even at 33 years old has not lost his nose for a goal. This season he had a goal in each game, and last week’s goal marked the 100th career goal in the MLS, which ties him for 9th all-time. He was also named to the MLS team of the week for his performance.
Squad Details
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- Injury Report:OUT: M – Aly Ghazal (left hamstring strain), D – Doneil Henry (left hamstring strain); QUESTIONABLE: D – Marcel de Jong (rib contusion)
Projected Starting XI
(4-1-4-1)
- GK: Stefan Marinovic
- Defenders (4): Jakob Nerwinski, Kendall Waston, Aaron Maund, Marcel de Jong
- Attack Midfielder (1): First Last, First Last, First Last
- Attack Midfielder (4): First Last, First Last, First Last
- Forward (1): First Last
Recent Meetings
Saturday 3rd June 2017
BC Pace, Vancouver, BC
Vancouver 3-1 Atlanta
The highlights from the last meeting.
Atlanta United FC
MLS
