Atlanta United v Toronto FC | Preview

Altanta United supporters section cheers on the 5-stripes.
(photo : Jim Stapp)

Preview

Atlanta United returns to action on Saturday, August 4 when it hosts defending MLS Cup champions Toronto FC to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta is coming off a 2-1 win against the Montreal Impact, while Toronto collected six points on back to back wins over the Chicago Fire.

This is the first meeting this season between the two. Last season the clubs played to 2-2 draws in both matches, the last one on the last day of the season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Toronto looks to be turning the corner from a season long hang-over for the devastating loss in the finals of the CCL.

According to Toronto midfielder Jonathan Osorio this is an opportunity to see where they are at, “We’re going to face the top team in the league, see where we are, where we stack up going into the last stretch. It’s not a must-win; definitely a game that we want to win, will go in to win.”

Toronto head coach Greg Vanney echoed this sentiment on Thursday when he said, “It is a measuring stick to us finding our form again and where we are with a team that has been consistent for the MLS season. On any given day, we can beat them. For us, it’s where are we now with this resurgence.”

Broadcast Details
TV: ESPN
English Radio: 92-9 The Game (local), Sirius XM FC (national)
Spanish Radio: La Mejor 1600 AM

Pre-match coverage:
3 p.m.: AT&T Countdown to Kickoff (FB Live/Periscope)
3:30 p.m.: The Pre-Game show (92-9 The Game)

Atlanta United

Squad Details

Big story is the continued absence from the match day squad of young phenom Ezequiel Barco. Head coach Tata Martino confirmed at his pre-match press conference on Friday that Barco would not be in the lineup. He said it was purely a coach’s decision. “He’s fulfilling our expectations. He’s training very well,” Martino said. “The original plan was we made a decision between the club and the coaching staff. That ended, and what’s coming now is only my decision.”

• Suspended: Franco Escobar
• Suspended after next caution: Michael Parkhurst, Romario Williams
• International duty: None
• Injury Report:
  • Out:
    • Greg Garza (torn labrum right shoulder)
    • Darlington Nagbe (right adductor injury)
  • Questionable:
    • none

Projected Starting XI
(3-5-2)

• GK: Brad Guzan
• Defenders (3): Miles Robinson, Michael Parkhurst, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez,
• Midfielders (5): Miguel Almíron, Jeff Larentowicz, Eric Remedi, Julian Gressel, Chris McCann
• Forwards (2): Hector Villalba, Josef Martínez

Toronto FC

Squad Details

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty: None
• Injury Report:
  • Out:
    • Drew Moor
    • Auro
  • Questionable:
    • none

Projected Starting XI
(3-1-4-2)

• GK: Alex Bono
• Defenders (3): Gregory van der Wiel, Eriq Zavaleta, Chis Mavinga
• Midfielders (1): Michael Bradley
• Midfielders (4): Ashtone Morgan, Victor Vazquez, Jonathan Osorio, Justin Morrow
• Forwards (2): Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore

Recent Meetings
Atlanta United 2, Toronto FC 2 (Oct 22, 2017)