Preview
The Orlando City host Atlanta United at Orlando City Stadium for the first time this season, with a 6:00 p.m. EST kick-off. The Lions are playing some of the best soccer in the MLS and riding a six game winning streak. Atlanta is on the last game of congested schedule that see them playing three matches in eight days and falling at Mercedes Benz for only the second time during the regular season at the hands of Sporting Kansas City 2-0.
This is a key first match of three between these two clubs, the home side is seeking their first win against Atlanta after losing once and playing to a pair of draws in three meetings last year.
Broadcast Details
TV: FS1, ESPN+
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
(6-2-1, 19 points)
Squad Details
Head Coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino is likely to stay with his formation from the mid-week match against Sporting Kansas City. The formation was performing well and Atlanta had dominated the first half until goalkeeper Brad Guzan was shown a red card. With Chris McCann Franco Escobar both unavailable with injuries Sal Zizzo will fill their role in the back line.
The goal keeper situation is a bit more sticky. Paul Christensen did an admirable job in a pinch, but Martino alluded to the fact that either Alec Kann or Mitch Hildebrandt would be ready to take over the goal keeping duties.
- Suspended: Brad Guzan
- Suspended after next caution: Chris McCann, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez
- Injury Report:
- Out:
- José Hernández (quad strain)
- Mitch Hildebrandt (left knee sprain)
- Questionable:
- Franco Escobar
- Chris McCann (hamstring)
Projected Starting XI
(4-3-3)- GK: Alec Kann
- Defenders (3): Greg Garza, Michael Parkhurst, Leandro González Pirez, Sal Zizzo
- Midfielders (5): Jeff Larentowicz, Darlington Nagbe, Miguel Almirón
- Forwards (2): Ezequiel Barco, Josef Martinez, Hector “Tito” Villalba
Orlando City SC
(6-2-1, 19 points)
Orlando looks to get out on the front foot against Atlanta, but is not worried if the visitors strike first. Head coach Jason Kreis was clear on this when he said, “I think that we need to understand in the game of soccer one team will score first all the time. We want it to be ourselves, especially at home We want to be out on the front foot, but I think we’ve proven now in a number of games it doesn’t matter that much.”
Orlando City’s most effective scorer has been Dom Dwyer. He has been particularly hot of late, when in April he was directly involved in five of ten goals goals scored. More impressive, of his three goal, all three were game-winning goals.
Squad Details
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Yoshi Yotun
- Injury Report:
- Out:
- Mason Stajduhar (Localized Ewing Sarcoma)
- Jonathan Spector (concussion)
- Questionable:
- Scott Sutter (lower body)
- Amro Tarek (lower body)
- Out:
- Out:
Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1)
- GK: Joe Bendik
- Defenders (4): Will Johnson, Lamine Sane, Chris Schuler, Mohamed El-Munir
- Defensive Midfielders (2): Cristian Higuita, Yoshi Yotun
- Attacking Midfielders (3): Chris Mueller, Sacha Kljestan, Justin Meram
- Forwards (1): Dom Dwyer
Recent Meetings
July 21, 2017
Orlando City SC 0, Atlanta United 1
Atlanta United FC
