Atlanta United v New York City FC | Match Preview

Preview

Atlanta United welcome the top team in the MLS when it hosts NYCFC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta continued the hot play at home as they crushed LAFC 5-0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 7, extending the winning streak to four games. NYCFC looks to continue their unbeaten start to the season against Atlanta who is 3-0 at home this season and has outscored opponents 12-2. NYCFC is sporting the most goals scored with 14 and the best goal differential at +10. This is a premier match-up of two of the best teams in the east, and the action looks to be end to end.

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

Pre-match coverage:
5:00 p.m.: AT&T Countdown to Kickoff (FB Live/Periscope)
5:30 p.m.: The Pre-Game show (92-9 The Game)

Atlanta United

(4-1-0, 12 points)
Atlanta is coming off a another big win at home as they beat has a huge list of players on the sidelines with injuries. Franco Escobar is still out from the concussion received a couple weeks back. Hector “Tito” Villalba was held out of training this week and looks unlikely to be involved in the match this weekend.

On the positive side Josef Martinez, who leads the league with 5 goals, will be in the lineup. It looked bad after a scary moment this week in training where he jammed his fingers and left in a air cast.

“For sure we’ll be up for it because they’re one of the best teams in the league,” Team Captain Michael Parkhurst said. “Right now they’re right at the top and they have been for the last few years, so we definitely know it will be a challenging game.”

Squad Details

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• Injury Report:
  • Out:
    • Franco Escobar (head injury)
    • José Hernández (quad strain)
    • Mitch Hildebrandt (left knee sprain)
  • Questionable:
    • Hector “Tito” Villalba (hamstring strain)

Projected Starting XI
(3-5-2)

• GK: Brad Guzan
• Defenders (3): Chris McCann, Michael Parkhurst, Leandro González Pirez
• Midfielders (5):Greg Garza, Jeff Larentowicz, Darlington Nagbe, Kevin Kratz, Julian Gressel
• Forwards (2): Josef Martinez, Miguel Almirón

New York City FC

(5-0-1, 16 points)
NYCFC is coming off a mid-week 4-0 rout at home against Real Salt Lake. The best form in the MLS without a loss and playing the best soccer in the league. They are only going to get better as David Villa made his first appearance this week and looks to be back in the lineup. Villa is coming off a calf injuring and came off the bench to play 31 minutes and finish with four shots in Wednesday’s 4-0 win against Real Salt Lake.

Squad Details

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• Injury Report:
  • • Out:
      • Kwame Awuah (knee)
    • Questionable:
      • None

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

• GK: Sean Johnson
• Defenders (4): Anton Tinnerholm, Alex Callens, Maxime Chanot, Ben Sweat
• Holding Midfielders (2): Alex Ring, Yangel Herrera
• Attack Midfielders (3): Jesus Medina, Maxi Moralez, Rodney Wallace
• Striker (1): David Villa

Recent Meetings
Saturday 28 May 2017
Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta
Atlanta 3-1 NYCFC

Sunday 7 May 2017
Yankee Stadium, New York City
NYCFC 3-1 Atlanta