Preview
Atlanta United return home to host a resurgent Philadelphia Union club who have turned their season around. The Union roll into town on its best run of form so far this year on an unbeaten streak of four, which includes three wins and no losses in their last four matches. The Philadelphia defense has really begun to click,they have not conceded a goal in their last two road games; prior to that in their previous six road matches they had conceded an average of 2.5 goals per game.
Atlanta is on the other end of the spectrum, now winless in 3 of the last four matches. They look to snap a franchise long two game home losing streak as they return home from a draw in New England that felt like a loss. The draw in New England snapped a four game road win streak and extended the poor form that started with a mid-week lose to Sporting Kansas City back in the middle of May.
Broadcast Details
TV: FOX Sports South, ESPN+
English Radio: 92-9 The Game (local), Sirius XM FC (national)
Spanish Radio: La Mejor 1600 AM
Pre-match coverage:
6:30 p.m.: AT&T Countdown to Kickoff (FB Live/Periscope)
7:00 p.m.: The Pre-Game show (92-9 The Game)
Atlanta United
Squad Details
The good news is that Argentine defender Leandro González Pirez is back from suspension, and both Chris McCann and Franco Escobar are back from injury. This really helps to fill in some of the defensive gaps exposed this week when Greg Garza went down for 4-6 months with a shoulder surgery. The loss of Greg Garza puts the spotlight on Mikey Ambrose, who had a solid performance mid-week.
There is the question of when Hector “Tito” Villalba makes his way back into the starting lineup. He traveled with the team to New England but was not on the gameday roster, nor is there any indication that he his injured. The lineup really misses his speed down the wings as well as is finishing ability. The last several matches there has been plenty of talk of how many chances have been created but not converted. As a player who played 35 matches last season and contributed 13 goals, his presence could be a factor toward converting some of the chances into goals.
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Chris McCann, Jeff Larentowicz, Miguel Almirón
- Injury Report:
- Out:
- Greg Garza (torn labrum right shoulder)
- Questionable:
- Hector “Tito” Villalba (hyper extended knee)
Projected Starting XI
(3-4-1-2)- GK: Brad Guzan
- Defenders (3): Michael Parkhurst, Leandro González Pirez, Franco Escobar
- Midfielders (4): Chris McCann, Jeff Larentowicz, Darlington Nagbe, Julian Gressel
- Midfielders (1): Miguel Almirón
- Forwards (2): Ezequiel Barco, Josef Martinez
Philadelphia Union
The Union has seen the turnaround due to the improvement of their young back line that has given up just two goals in the last four matches. A pair of 19-year-olds in Mark McKenzie and Auston Trusty have begun to develop a partnership that has produced results.
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Squad Details
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Claude Dielna, Luis Caicedo
- Injury Report:
- Out:
- Richie Marquez (sports hernia surgery)
- Joshua Yaro (concussion)
- Questionable:
- Mark McKenzie (knee injury)
- Out:
Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1)- GK: Andre Blake
- Defenders (4): Keegan Rosenberry, Jack Elliott, Auston Trusty, Raymon Gaddis
- Defensive Midfielders (2): Alejandro Bedoya, Haris Medunjanin
- Attacking Midfielders (3): Marcus Epps, Borek Dockal, Fafa Picault
- Forwards (1): CJ Sapong
Recent Meetings
Atlanta United 3 Philadelphia Union 0 (September 27, 2017)
Philadelphia Union 2 Atlanta United 2 (August 26, 2017)Atlanta United FC
MLS
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