Atlanta United defeated Montreal Impact 4-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 28th, 2018. (photo Jim Stapp)
Preview
The Chicago Fire host Atlanta United at Toyota Park for the first time since the sold-out LA Galaxy match, with a 8:30 p.m. EST kick-off. The Fire were able to come back from two goal deficit at Toronto to earn a draw and collect a valuable point on the road. Atlanta poured in four goals over the last 20 minutes to bury the Montreal Impact 4-1.
The two teams split their meetings last season with each side taking three points at home. While the Fire may not be to the same level as the playoff caliber team that ended the season, they has lost just once in their last five matches. Atlanta has bounced back from the season opening loss at Houston and is now riding a seven game unbeaten streak.
Broadcast Details
TV: FOX Sports Southeast, ESPN+
English Radio: 92-9 The Game (local), Sirius XM FC (national)
Spanish Radio: La Mejor 1600 AM
Pre-match coverage:
7:30 p.m.: AT&T Countdown to Kickoff (FB Live/Periscope)
8:00 p.m.: The Pre-Game show (92-9 The Game)
Atlanta United
(6-1-1, 19 points)
Atlanta United made a formation change at half-time last weekend against the Montreal Impact. This was the first time head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino has made an adjustment in game when a red card or injury had forced his hand. The formation changed from his 3-5-2 to a more attach minded 4-3-3. Martino has talked about his desire to make this change eventually when all his attacking players are fit. Whether that happens sooner, like this weekend or later is to be seen.“When you’re playing well, it’s tough to make too many changes other than what’s really necessary,” Martino told media through a translator Thursday. “The team is in good form lately, so we’ll just have to see who’s playing well [in training].”
The other possible reason for a lineup change could come from the upcoming schedule. Atlanta plays three matches in eight days, during this stretch it is possible to see the coach rotate his line-up. However, it seems unlikely, as at the end of last season when the team when through 8 matches in 23 days, the only changes were due to injury and not fatigue.
Squad Details
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Chris McCann
- Injury Report:
- Out:
- José Hernández (quad strain)
- Mitch Hildebrandt (left knee sprain)
- Questionable:
- None
Projected Starting XI
(3-5-2)- GK: Brad Guzan
- Defenders (3): Chris McCann, Michael Parkhurst, Leandro González Pirez
- Midfielders (5):Greg Garza, Jeff Larentowicz, Darlington Nagbe, Ezequiel Barco, Julian Gressel
- Forwards (2): Josef Martinez, Miguel Almirón
Chicago Fire
(2-3-2, 8 points)
Chicago Fire coach Veljko Paunovic spoke of Atlanta when he said, “We have a great opponent in Atlanta, it’s one of the best teams and another hard week for us, hard challenge and test for this group, but this group is growing, this group is getting better, it’s building getting points and good results…”Paunovic is still seeking the right combination this season as they are experimenting with different formations. The fluctuation of stating lineup and formation tactics are due in part due to the injuries. The big question mark is, where does German legend Bastian Schweinsteiger start this week? Last week he started as a centerback in a 5-3-2 in Toronto. However, when they fell behind 2-0 he shifted to midfield and the team responded with two goals.
Squad Details
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- Injury Report:
- Out:
- Jorge Corrales (infection)
- Michael de Leeuw (left ACL)
- Djorjde Mihailovic (right ACL)
- Matt Polster (right MCL)
- Luis Solignac (left quad)
- Questionable:
- None
- Out:
- Out:
Projected Starting XI
(5-3-2)
- GK: Richard Sanchez
- Defenders (5): Kevin Ellis, Johan Kappelhof, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Grant Lillard, Brandon Vincent
- Midfielders (3): Aleksandar Katai, Dax McCarty, Mohammed Adams
- Forwards (2): Nemanja Nikolic, Elliott Collier
Recent Meetings
Jun 10, 2017
Chicago Fire 2-0 Atlanta United FC
Mar 18, 2017
Atlanta United FC 4-0 Chicago Fire
Atlanta United FC
MLS
