Venue:
Lower.com Field
Time:
7:30 PM, 3/25
Watch on:
MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Atlanta United Preview:
Second in the Supporter’s Shield race and with the highest goal differential, Atlanta United is playing the best football they’ve played in a long time. They’ve played poor teams, but they have absolutely done what you should do when you play teams of this quality. Expectations should be a little tempered, but you’d be forgiven for saying the Five Stripes were back. The catalyst for a lot of this has been Argentina wonderkid Thiago Almada, who just scored after coming on at the half for the Argentine national team on Thursday. Almada is, of course, with the national team, along with a number of Atlanta United’s most important players, which could cause some problems, though this is a problem a lot of teams are facing right now. Along with Ozzie Alonso and Matheus Rossetto continuing to be sidelined, the Five Stripes will be without Derrick Etienne, Luis Abram, Machop Chol, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Ronald Hernandez, Thiago Almada and Miles Robinson. Homegrowns Alan Carleton and Luke Brennan, as well as fellow 2’s player Nick Firmino have all signed short-term contracts, and 17 year old homegrown center back Noah Cobb is likely to see the pitch, given the depletion at center back due to international duty.
Predicted XI:
Columbus Crew Preview
Recent Transfers
This winter, the Crew added American striker Christian Ramirez as a backup. He bagged 35 in under 6,500 minutes across multiple teams in his time in MLS before his stint in Scotland. They also added center back Gustavo Vallecilla from Colorado on loan. Vallecilla is only 23, but was lower on the depth chart at Colorado. He’s yet to play for the Crew.
Availability
Star striker Cucho Hernandez will be out for a few weeks with a knee injury, and veteran center back Josh Williams will be missing with an ankle injury. Wingers Luis Diaz and Kevin Molino are questionable, Molino with a knee and Diaz with something undisclosed. Crucial center back Milos Degenek will be out with international duty, and so will midfield maestro Lucas Zelarayan, as well as starting goalkeeper Eloy Room.
Players to Watch
Steven Morreira
He was one of the best right backs in MLS last season. He’ll probably be at right center back, but he’s still one to keep an eye on.
Aiden Morris
A youngster, Morris is a personal favorite of mine and a very good defensive midfielder. He’s been given a clear starting role with the departure of Artur, and he’s started every game, with an assist to boot.
Christian Ramirez
Likely getting his first minutes back in MLS this weekend, Ramirez has proven to be dangerous in front of goal.
Predicted XI:
Score Prediction:
2-0, Atlanta United
After showing dominance on the road in Charlotte and at home against Portland, I’m confident in this Atlanta team. Sure, Almada and Miles Robinson and Luis Abram are all out, but Columbus’ best attacking midfielder and only good center back are also. This dominant midfield is still here, and Wiley and Araujo are both going to be starting on the wings. I don’t know that Berry will find himself scoring against his former club, but somebody will find the back of the net for this team.
Comments