Altanta United v Orlando City | Preview

Miguel Almirón of Atlanta United looks to find space to operate against the Portland Timbers at Mercedes Benz Stadium June 24, 2018. (Photo: Jim Stapp)

Preview

Atlanta United will host eastern conference foe Orlando City SC. Atlanta United sits atop of the eastern conference but has only two wins in the past five matches. They will look to get back to winning as they dropped two points last week at home when the Portland Timbers were able to hold on for a 1-1 draw. Orlando on the other hand is in the midst of a seven game losing streak. They lost to the Montreal Impact at home last weekend 2-0.

Not only has Orlando have lost seven straight MLS matches, they are struggling to find goals. During this skid, they have only scoring multiple goals once and have been shut out three times. Orlando looks to get things turned around wtih a new head coach, the club named Louisville City’s James O’Connor head coach yesterday. Interim head coach Bobby Murphy will lead the club during Saturday’s match.

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

Pre-match coverage:
6:00 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

Altanta has lost a second starter this season with the loss of Darlington Nagbe. The club announced this week that Nagbe will miss two-to-three months with a right adductor injury. He sustained the injured in the second half of the Portland match on Sunday. Nagbe has played in every game this season for Atlanta and was named as MLS All-Stars in the “Fan XI” on Sunday.

Darlington Nagbe of Atlanta UNited looks to evade the defenders from Portland on mathc palyed in Mercedes Benz Stadium June 24, 2018. (Photo: Jim Stapp)

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: Romario Williams, Jeff Larentowicz, Miguel Almirón
• International duty: None
• Injury Report:
  • Out:
    • Greg Garza (torn labrum right shoulder)
    • Darlington Nagbe (abductor)
    • Chris McCann (hamstring)
  • Questionable:
    • None

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

• GK: Brad Guzan
• Defenders (4): Michael Parkhurst, Leandro González Pírez, Franco Escobar, Mikey Ambrose,
• Defensive Midfielders (2): Jeff Larentowicz, Miguel Almirón, Ezequiel Barco, Julian Gressel

li>Attacking Midfielders (3): Miguel Almirón, Ezequiel Barco, Hector “Tito” Villalba

• Forwards (1): Josef Martinez

Orlando City SC

Squad Details

Orlando looks to have their defensive back in full force. Scott Sutter has a second have substitution last weekend against Montreal, it was his first appearance since April 8 against Portland. Also, Mohamed El-Munir and Cristian Higuita will be available for selection after both serving card suspension.

Yoshi Yotún returns from World Cup action in Russia where he played 45 minutes for Peru in its 2-0 victory over Australia on Tuesday. He is unlikely to start but he may be available for selection from the bench.

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: Uri Rosell, Will Johnson
• International duty: None
• Injury Report:
  • Out:
    • Mason Stajduhar (Localized Ewing Sarcoma)
  • Questionable:
    • None

Projected Starting XI
(3-4-3)

• GK: Joe Bendik
• Defenders (3): Jonathan Spector, Lamine Sane, Amro Tarek
• Midfielders (4): Will Johnson, Sacha Kljestan, Uri Rosell, Donny Toia
• Forwards (3): Josue Colman, Dom Dwyer, Justin Meram

Recent Meeting
Orlando City SC 1 Atlanta United 2 (May 10, 2018)