Atlanta United faithful at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA. (Photo: Jim Stapp)
Preview
Atlanta United hosts a hot Columbus Crew SC Sunday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Columbus has won three in a row after defeating the Houston Dynamo, 1-0, last Saturday and is now looking to close the gap between themselves and the leaders in the east.
Atlanta had a week off coming into this match, and last played on August 4, tying Toronto FC, 2-2, to extend an unbeaten streak to five. However, head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino, voiced his frustration over conceding late goals and giving away points. After the match he spoke to the press and said, “We’ve lost seven points this season in the last five minutes or so of games — Dallas, New England and today.”
The teams last met on June 18 at MAPFRE Stadium when Atlanta took the win 2-0, with goals from Josef Martinez and Tito Villallba.
Broadcast Details
TV: FOX Sports Southeast
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
Atlanta had last weekend off and the team looks to be rested and ready for the final push of the season. They are looking very thin and left full back with injuries to; Greg Garza, Sal Zizzo and Mikey Ambrose. Both Zizzo and Ambrose are out for the rest of the season, however, there is still hope that Greg Garza will be back before the end of the season.
Franco Escobar is back from is yellow card accumulation suspension of the last match. This should provide head coach Tata Martino to use his favored 4-2-3-1 formation. Eric Remedi has slipped into the midfield and has provided solid coverage similar to the play of last years defensive midfielder Carlos Carmona.
Josef Martinez scored a brace against Toronto FC two weeks ago, and has brought his season goal total to 26. He is just one goal away from tying the all-time MLS record. He looks to make history at home in front of his fans, he has been fire scoring at least a goal in his last seven matches, and eleven of his last twelve matches.
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Jeff Larentowicz
- International duty: None
- Injury Report:
- Out:
- Greg Garza (torn labrum right shoulder)
- Darlington Nagbe (right adductor injury)
- Sal Zizzo (right knee injury)
- Mikey Ambrose (right knee surgery)
- Questionable:
- none
- Out:
Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1)
- GK: Brad Guzan
- Defenders (4): Franco Escobar, Michael Parkhurst, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Chris McCann
- Midfielders (2): Jeff Larentowicz, Eric Remedi
- Midfielders (3): Hector Villalba, Miguel Almíron, Julian Gressel
- Forwards (1): Josef Martínez
Columbus Crew
Squad Details
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
- Injury Report:
- Out:
- Eduardo Sosa (right knee meniscectomy)
- Questionable:
- none
- Out:
Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1)
- GK: Zack Steffen
- Defenders (4): Harrison Afful, Jonathan Mensah, Gaston Sauro, Milton Valenzuela
- Midfielders (2): Artur, Wil Trapp
- Midfielders (3): Pedro Santos, Federico Higuain, Justin Meram
- Forward (1): Gyasi Zardes
Recent Meetings
Columbus Crew 0 – Atlanta United 2, (Jun 13, 2018)
