D.C. United v Altanta United | Preview

Atlanta United’s Josef Martínez has had a record-breaking season with 28 goals so far. (photo: Atlanta United)

Preview

Atlanta United travels for their first visit to the new Audi Field to face D.C. United on Sunday, September 2nd. This will be the third meeting this year for the two clubs, but the first time away from Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta dominated these matches with a 3-1 result both times. D.C. United play has been much better with the opening of Audi field and the addition of Wayne Rooney. They have seen good results in their new home where they have only dropped four points out of a possible 24 points.

Atlanta is fresh off a 2-1 win in Orlando over Orlando City. The big story was when Josef Martínez made history breaking the MLS single-season goals record with 28 goals.

D.C. United lost 2-0 to Philadelphia Union in a mid-week match at Audi Field and has lost the last two matches. They are in a struggle for the final playoff spot sitting 6 points back with a couple games in hand to try to sneak into the playoffs with a strong finish.

Broadcast Details
TV: FS1
English Radio: 92-9 The Game (local), Sirius XM FC (national)
Spanish Radio: La Mejor 1600 AM

Pre-match coverage:
7 p.m.: AT&T Countdown to Kickoff (FB Live/Periscope)
7:30 p.m.: The Pre-Game show (92-9 The Game)

Atlanta United

Squad Details

Josef Martínez looks to break the league record for consecutive games with a goal. He currently holds the record with Diego Valeri at nine games. Martínez spoke this week about breaking the record, adding perspective that it means little without team achievements. After training, he dismissed the record saying, “It does not mean anything. Those are just numbers. The only thing that matters to me is winning.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: Chris McCann, Michael Parkhurst
• 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

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

DC United

Squad Details

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: Chris Durkin, Paul Arriola
• International duty: None
• Injury Report:
  • Out:
    • Taylor Kemp (hip surgery)
    • Nick DeLeon (knee surgery)
    • David Ousted (elbow surgery)
    • Chris Odoi-Atsem (fatigue)
  • Questionable:
    • Yamil Asad (ankle)

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

• GK: Bill Hamid
• Defenders (4): Oniel Fisher, Kofi Opare, Steve Birnbaum, Joseph Mora
• Midfielders (2): Russell Canouse, Junior Moreno
• Midfielders (3): Paul Arriola, Luciano Acosta, Zoltan Stieber
• Forward (1): Wayne Rooney

Recent Meetings
Atlanta United 3 – DC United 1 (July 21, 2018)
Atlanta United 3 – DC United 1 (March 11, 2018)