After a lengthy four-match road stretch, Atlanta United return home on Sunday to face off against their United counterparts in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta (3-2-2) currently sit 4th in the conference standings (11 pts.) and are looking for a second straight win after a 3-1 victory at Real Salt Lake last Saturday. Meanwhile, D.C United (2-3-2) sit just three points behind the expansion side (8 pts.) and are coming off a 2-2 draw in New England. This weekend’s match presented by Coca-Cola will kick off at 3:00pm on Sunday and will be televised on FS1.
Atlanta United (3-2-2)
It’s been a long month for the 2017 expansion club, first traveling to the homes of Seattle and Toronto and battling to gritty draws against the two teams who appeared in the MLS Cup Final last year. Atlanta then headed to Montreal where a late, stoppage time dagger from the Impact stripped them of another hard-earned point, but determined to capture three, ATL UTD capped off the away stretch with a victory in Real Salt Lake bringing their point total on the road to eight (most in MLS).
Tata Martino’s implemented high pressing, possession-oriented, fluid style of play has steered the expansion side to 17 goals on the year, only Portland has scored more in MLS (18). Key to the attack that is turning heads around the league has been Tito Villalba who’s notched four goals and two assists in the 2017 campaign as well as their number 10 in Miguel Almirón who continues to look like one of the most dangerous, high-caliber playmakers in the league with two goals and four assists to his name.
However, don’t let the offensive firepower overshadow the fact that the back line has been stellar, especially considering they’ve had just three months to develop a cohesive unit. Led by the center back pairing of Michael Parkhurst and Leandro González Pirez, Atlanta United have only allowed eight through seven matches and lead the league in goal differential at +9, not to mention goalkeeper Alec Kann has recorded 25 saves this season (3rd highest in the league).
In addition, Jeff Larentowicz and Carlos Carmona have been rocks in the midfield, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Atlanta turn to that experience and discipline against D.C. this Sunday.
D.C. United (2-3-2)
After finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference and hosting an opening round playoff match, it was a solid 2016 campaign for D.C. United. However, while they’re searching to build on the results from last season, 2017 hasn’t quite looked like they will produce a significantly better outcome.
That being said, D.C can’t be too upset regarding their results so far bearing in mind their reduced personnel situation. Plagued with injury, D.C. have had to test their depth and youth early on this season losing captain Steve Birnbaum, Rob Vincent, Nick DeLeon, Patrick Nyarko, Luciano Acosta, Patrick Mullins, and most recently Sebastien Le Toux in their trip to Foxborough who are all regular starters for the red and black.
Fortunately for the squad from the nation’s capital, Mullins and Acosta returned to practice this week which is a positive sign as two of their standout attacking players could see some minutes in Atlanta on Sunday. Despite the injuries on the back line, D.C. United have been able to count on Bill Hamid to protect the net who’s tallied a league-leading 30 saves in 2017.
After giving up the lead against the Revolution last week, D.C. have yet to capture a victory on the road this season and will be hoping to change that with a trip down South this weekend against the MLS newcomers.
Listen & Watch – Sunday, 3:00 p.m. ET
TV
- FS1
- FOX Sports Go
Radio
- 92.9 The Game (English)
- La Mejor Atlanta (Spanish)
Play-by-Play
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