Toronto FC v Atlanta United | Preview

Darlington Nagbe in action for Atlanta United. (Photo: Jim Stapp)

Preview

Atlanta United looks to close the season with a win in Toronto. Atlanta leads the Eastern Conference and the “Supporters Shield” by a single point over the New York Red Bulls. Last season’s MLS Cup winners and Supporters Shield winner Toronto hosts Atlanta with the clear intention of playing the role of spoiler.

Toronto head coach Greg Vanney was outspoken about the message to his club, “There are a lot of things that add fuel to this game. It starts with respect. They have a good team, good players; we have a good team, good players. Both teams have been able to hurt the other team, both have had a hard time stopping the other.”

He went on to close the thought with “When two teams have been at the top, there is a natural rivalry that exists. And there have been some interesting moments along the way.”

The match is loaded with storylines, with Atlanta head coach Tata Martino choosing to end his time with Atlanta at the end of this season, and the injury to Miguel Almirón all weighing heavily on an Atlanta team that has not been as overwhelming as they were earlier in the season. They have won five of the last six matches, the sole loss to the New York Red Bulls in New Jersey last month.

Broadcast Details
TV: TSN4, ESPN+, FOX Sports Southeast
English Radio: Star 94-1 (local), Sirius XM FC (national)
Spanish Radio: La Mejor 1600 AM

Pre-match coverage:
3:30 p.m.: AT&T Countdown to Kickoff (FB Live/Periscope)
4:00 p.m.: The Pre-Game show (92-9 The Game)

Atlanta United

Squad Details

Star play maker Miguel Almirón will miss his second match with a hamstring injury. He has been running but has been ruled out for this match by head coach Martino.

Tito Villalba will be available for selection after missing last match after returning with a few issues from international duty with Paraguay. The match last week was the first time this season that the line-up did not feature either Villalba or Almirón, this season.

Also available for selection is Greg Garza, who has been out since May. He was on the bench last week and is available for selection for the match. Match fitness would be the question, how long could he go after being our for such an extended stretch.

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty: None
• Injury Report:
  • Out:
    • Miguel Almiron (left hamstring injury),
    • Sal Zizzo (right knee injury)
    • Mikey Ambrose (right knee surgery)
  • Questionable:
    • none

Projected Starting XI
(4-3-3)

• GK: Brad Guzan
• Defenders (4): Franco Escobar, Michael Parkhurst, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Chris McCann
• Midfielders (3): Eric Remedi, , Darlington Nagbe, Julian Gressel
• Forwards (3): Hector Villalba, Josef Martínez, Ezequiel Barco

Toronto FC

Squad Details

• Suspended: Scott Caldwell
• Suspended after next caution: Kelyn Rowe
• International duty: None
• Injury Report:
  • Out:
    • Victor Vazquez (right knee surgery)
    • Jozy Altidore (ankle surgery)
  • Questionable:
    • none

Projected Starting XI
(4-4-2)

• GK: Alex Bono
• Defenders (4): Auro, Gregory van der Wiel, Chris Mavinga, Ashtone Morgan
• Midfielders (4): Michael Bradley, Jay Chapman, Jonathan Osorio, Marky Delgado
• Forwards (2): Sebastian Giovinco, Lucas Janson

Recent Meetings
Atlanta United 2 Toronto FC 2 (Aug 04, 2018)
Atlanta United 2 Toronto FC 2 (Oct 22, 2017)
Toronto FC 2 Atlanta United 2 (Apr 30, 2017)