Venue:
Mercedez-Benz Stadium
Time:
7:30, 3/4
Watch on:
MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Atlanta United Preview
The Five Stripes are coming off of an exhilarating finish of a match vs San Jose, where, after spending the majority of the match not creating super strong opportunities for forwards and having conceded early, Thiago Almada’s late heroics gave the Five Stripes the three points. Late into stoppage time the World Cup champion scored an absolute golazo off of a corner, and then proceeded to bang in a free kick in the dying moments of the match. Despite this, the match was largely not great. Luiz Araujo, who came into the season with high expectations, played very poorly, and strikers Jackson Conway and Miguel Berry did very little. It was revealed on Friday, though, that Giorgios Giakoumakis has gotten his Visa and is available to play (hence why this is coming out so late). He’s obviously a much needed piece for the Five Stripes and getting him on the pitch could change a lot. Winter additions Derrick Etienne and Luis Abram also got on the pitch, making them starting more likely.
Predicted XI
Toronto FC Preview
Recent Transfers
Toronto made some strong reinforcement moves in the offseason. For one, they brought in Sean Johnson, who’s been one of the best goalkeepers in MLS in recent years to fill in one of their most needed spots. They also added Italian left back Rauol Petretta from Turkish club Kasimpasa. Further, they seemingly plugged another hole by adding Norwegian center back Sigurd Rosted. The 28 year old has spent time in Norway, Denmark and Belgium and has made five caps with the Norwegian national team. On top of this, they signed former LAFC striker Adama Diomande. Diomande, also a former Norwegian international, has 72 g/a in a little over 9,100 career minutes in Norway, China, MLS, the Championship and a little bit of time in the EPL, including 20 goals and 9 assists in 2,701 minutes at LAFC. He’s a really good veteran striker addition, who was likely a guy Bob Bradley requested, seen as they worked together at LAFC. They also brought in center back Matt Hedges from FC Dallas, a veteran who’s been one of the best center backs in MLS. In addition to Hedges, they also got Brandon Servania from FCD, a 23 year old center mid who will likely be depth.
Availability
Italian international and Designated Player left winger Lorenzo Insigne has not been in training, and Victor Vazquez has a bruised rib but appears to be returning and could play.
Players to Watch
Sean Johnson
Johnson has been one of the very best goalkeepers in MLS and is easily one to keep an eye on. He should be tough to beat, which could pose problems for the Five Stripes.
Matt Hedges
Hedges, a center back, has been, like Johsnon, one of the better players in MLS in his position in recent years. He was a strong center back addition and may prove tough to beat.
Richie Lareya
Laryea has returned to TFC on loan from Nottingham Forest, and is still one of the best right backs in MLS. The 28 year old Canadian international needs to be mentioned as somebody to watch.
Mark-Anthony Kaye
Kaye was brought in in the summer from Colorado, and had also been one of the best players in MLS at his position. The Canadian international has consistently been one of the best No. 8s in MLS across clubs, from LAFC to Colorado to now TFC.
Jonathan Osorio
Osorio was brought back in at TFC after having his contract expire. He’s more of a central midfielder (not to say he can’t play as a No. 10), but he had 13 g/a in 2022. He’s goal dangerous and a strong ball progressor to keep your eyes on.
Michael Bradley
People will laugh but even at his old age Bradley can still be an influential player in MLS. I don’t know that I can say he’s at the level of others on this list, however.
Federico Bernadeschi
The Italian international had 10 g/a in just under 1,100 minutes in 2022 with TFC, though half of those were penalties. In 2023, however, he already has a goal. He wouldn’t have been a bad MVP pick by any means. He’s a very dangerous player.
Adama Dioamnde
He’s only played 381 or so minutes in the last two years, though he’s scored twice in those minutes. He did very well for LAFC and if he plays like that, he’ll be a handful for Miles Robinson and Luis Abram.
Predicted XI
Score Prediction
1-1
This will be a game where the Five Stripes are the worse team but come away with a point, in my opinion. That TFC midfield will control the game, but I think Robinson and Abram can handle Diomande and Lennon will be fine. The real concern is Gutman keeping Bernadeschi under wraps. Going forward, I think there’s very little fire power for Atlanta, but Araujo not being off and Almada keeping up his form with Etienne playing up to his ability should allow Atlanta to find the back of the net.
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