Miguel Almirón of Atlanta United looks for space during the match against the San Jose Earthquakes, Atlanta United pulled out a 4-3 win in a wild mid-week match on September 19, 2018. (photo: Lyndsay Radnedge)
Preview
Atlanta United returns to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to play at home for the first time since August 19th. The match marks the third in eight days after a six-point road trip that saw victories at Colorado Rapids on Sept. 15 and at San Jose Earthquakes on Sept. 19. The win on Wednesday was one of the wildest matches in MLS history, with Atlanta battling back from a two goal deficit twice to win 4-3.
Real Salt Lake rolls into town riding a four match unbeaten streak, with three wins and a draw. They are coming off a disappointing 1-1 draw at home against Minnesota United last weekend. They let an early 1-0 lead slip away and almost lost the match if not for a second Minnesota goal being disallowed by VAR.
Tata Martino spoke to the media on Friday about the team’s performance of late and Wednesday night in particular. “I’m satisfied with the reaction and the mentality of the team, but not with the amount of errors we made in the second half and the disorganization of the team.”
Martino went on to talk about his expectations moving forward, “We need to do a little more work, have a little more concentration on the field and a little bit of that mental strength. At this final part of the season, that’s when you can least afford to make those kind of mistakes.”
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:
6 p.m.: AT&T Countdown to Kickoff (FB Live/Periscope)
6:30 p.m.: The Pre-Game show (92-9 The Game)
Atlanta United
Squad Details
According to Martino, Darlington Nagbe is back to full fitness. He was not part of the 18 on Wednesday which was part of the plan with the team physician.
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Chris McCann, Jeff Larentowicz
- International duty: None
- Injury Report:
- Out:
- Greg Garza (torn labrum right shoulder)
- Sal Zizzo (right knee injury)
- Mikey Ambrose (right knee surgery)
- Questionable:
- none
- Out:
Projected Starting XI
Tactical Formation : 3-5-2
- GK: Brad Guzan
- Defenders (3): Michael Parkhurst, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Franco Escobar
- Defensive Midfielders (5): Julian Gressel, Darlington Nagbe, Eric Remedi, Miguel Almíron, Chris McCann
- Forwards (1): Hector Villalba, Josef Martínez
Real Salt Lake
Squad Details
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Kyle Beckerman, Marcelo Silva, Brooks Lennon, Justen Glad
- International duty: None
- Injury Report:
- Out:
- Tony Beltran (right knee surgery)
- Jordan Allen (knee surgery)
- Alex Horwath (Achilles surgery)
- Demar Phillips (hamstring injury)
- David Horst (Achilles surgery)
- Questionable:
- Connor Sparrow (knee injury)
- Marcelo Silva (ankle injury)
- Luis Silva (groin injury)
- Kyle Beckerman (hamstring injury)
- Out:
Projected Starting XI
Tactical Formation: 4-2-3-1
- GK: GK: Nick Rimando
- Defenders (4): Brooks Lennon, Nick Besler, Justen Glad, Aaron Herrera
- Midfielders (2): Sunny, Pablo Ruiz
- Midfielders (3): Jefferson Savarino, Albert Rusnak, Joao Plata
- Forward (1): Damir Kreilach
Recent Meetings
Real Salt Lake 1 – Atlanta United 3(April 22, 2017)
