Atlanta United FC vs. Orlando City SC
2017 MLS Regular Season - Week 28
Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, Ga.
Saturday, September 16 – 3:55 pm ET
WATCH: Univision, Facebook Live in USA; MLS LIVE in Canada
The largest crowd in MLS history, a heated rivalry, a nationally televised match in a state-of-the-art stadium and massive Eastern Conference playoff stakes: Those are just some of the top-line talking points surrounding Saturday's Atlanta vs. Orlando clash.
Atlanta United (12W-8L-6D, 42pts), who are aiming to continue to climb the Eastern Conference, will be playing their third of six straight matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and they're already off to a great start. ATLUTD recorded shutout wins in their first two matches, outscoring opponents 10-0, including Wednesday's 7-0 throttling of New England.
That rout of the Revs saw Atlanta forward Josef Martinez net a hat trick that sees him move within six goals of the league lead. But if Orlando City (9W-12L-7D, 34pts) are in the dire position they're in (seven points from the playoff zone), they have Atlanta's Tito Villalba to blame in part. His goals in July cost Orlando a win and a tie in two matches that would mushroom into an eight-game winless run that may ultimately cost them the postseason.
Atlanta United FC
- Suspended: DF Leandro Gonzalez Pirez (yellow card accumulation)
- Suspended after next caution: MF Jeff Larentowicz
- International Duty:None
- On Loan: GK Alec Kann (Charleston Battery), FW Romario Williams (Charleston Battery)
- Injury Report: QUESTIONABLE -- DF Greg Garza (left hamstring injury)
Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Brad Guzan — Tyrone Mears, Michael Parkhurst, Anton Walkes, Chris McCann — Jeff Larentowicz, Carlos Carmona — Hector "Tito" Villalba, Miguel Almiron, Yamil Asad — Josef Martinez
Orlando City SC
- Suspended: MF Kaka (yellow card accumulation), DF Seb Hines (red card suspension), MF Servando Carrasco (red card suspension), Jose Aja (yellow card accumulation), Will Johnson (league suspension)
- Suspended after next caution: MF Will Johnson
- International Duty:None
- On Loan: DF Conor Donovan (Orlando City B), MF Devron Garcia (Orlando City B)
- Injury Report: OUT – GK Josh Saunders (neck injury), MF Richie Laryea (hamstring injury)
Projected Starting XI
(4-4-2, right to left)
GK: Joe Bendik — Scott Sutter, Tommy Redding, Jonathan Spector, Donny Toia — Cristian Higuita (or Dillon Powers), Antonio Nocerino, Giles Barnes, Yoshimar Yotun — Cyle Larin, Dom Dwyer
All-Time Series
Atlanta and Orlando have met twice this season with both previous matches coming in the span of eight days: July 21 (1-0 Atlanta win in Orlando) and July 29 (a 1-1 draw in Atlanta).
- Overall: Atlanta 1W-0L-1D (2 GF, 1 GA) … Orlando 0W-1L-1D (1 GF, 2 GA)
- At ATL: Atlanta 0W-0L-1D (1 GF, 1 GA) … Orlando 0W-0L-1D (1 GF, 1 GA)
Officials
Referee: Jair Marrufo
Assistant Referees: Frank Anderson, Corey Rockwell
4th Official: Allen Chapman
Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Edvin Jurisevic
