Ahead of Saturday's clash between Atlanta United and New York City FC, MLSsoccer.com breaks down the matchup between the top two teams in the East position-by-position. (12:30 pm ET; TV & streaming info).
GOALKEEPERS:
New York City FC
This is a tough choice and it might come as a shock to pick Sean Johnson over the internationally-experienced Brad Guzan but the NYCFC 'keeper has come into his own since joining the Cityzens. Johnson's two big flaws have always been his propensity to make the big mistake and his inconsistency with the ball at his feet. While those issues still flare up from time to time, overall he's improved in those two areas over the last 18 months.
Guzan has been steady since joining the Five Stripes, but he rarely comes up with the spectacular save and doesn't possess the athleticism Johnson displays regularly.
DEFENDERS:
Atlanta United
NYCFC have been fluid formationally in recent weeks, but for this exercise we are going to place Alex Ring in the midfield instead of defense. Sebastien Ibeagha has claimed the starting role in front of Maxime Chanot for now and Ronald Matarrita is preparing for the World Cup, as Patrick Vieira turned to Ben Sweat in the second half against Orlando City on Saturday.
For Atlanta, Michael Parkhurst has been a rock in Tata Martino's back three while Leandro Gonzalez Pirez has rebounded from a horrific start to the season. The jury is still out on Franco Escobar, who has recently claimed the starting role next to them, but the team's 1.22 expected goals against per game is good for the second-lowest rate in the league.
Given the changes NYCFC have made in recent weeks and the important absence of Matarrita, the Five Stripes get the nod.
MIDFIELDERS:
Atlanta United
Yangel Herrera's absence is a big one, despite the young Venezuelan's subpar form to start the season. Ebenezer Ofori has been serviceable taking his spot, but doesn't provide the gamebreaking ability that Herrera showed at times in 2017. Maxi Moralez has been one of the best players at his position this season. Ring hasn't been at his 2017 level, but the Finnish international has adapted to Patrick Vieira's tactical changes smoothly.
We're counting Julian Gressel and Mikey Ambrose (or Chris McCann) as midfielders for this exercise, and mostly in practice. The 2017 Rookie of the Year has been special at his new right wingback position, tallying four assists and contributing countless times on the attacking half of the field. Jeff Larentowicz has been his usual steady self and Darlington Nagbe's ability to connect the team from back to front has been essential.
What gives Atlanta the edge is Miguel Almiron. The Paraguayan international has controlled almost every match he has played in 2018 and is one of the frontrunners for MVP.
FORWARDS:
New York City FC
Assuming Patrick Vieira decides to start Jesus Medina and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi alongside David Villa, NYCFC have one of the most productive forward trios in the league. Nothing more needs to be said about the Spanish legend, who has eight more goals this season, and Tajouri-Shradi has been the most efficient finisher in the league this season. Medina has struggled a bit, having just one goal and no assists in his last eight games, after a hot start.
Josef Martinez took a three-goal lead in the Golden Boot race after his hat trick against the Union, but he has actually been inefficient with his finishing this season. His 12 goals are 2.22 less than he would be expected to score on average based on the quality of his chances (.79 of the 2.22 comes from a PK miss). Four of his 12 goals come via the penalty spot. Having said all that, his movement, speed and power possibly make him the most difficult matchup in the league.
Next to him Ezequiel Barco has flashed in moments and is a creative hub for an extremely dangerous attack. But he hasn't put up much in the way of box score stats (3g, 0a) and is still adjusting to the league.
I might raise a few eyebrows picking the NYCFC trio, but until Tajouri-Shradi's form drops off, that's who I'm going with.
BENCH:
New York City FC
NYCFC are down a few contributors in Matarrita, Rodney Wallace and Herrera. The fact that they still can turn to Tommy McNamara, Jo Inge Berget, Jonathan Lewis and Maxime Chanot speaks to the fact that they could be the deepest team in the league.
The Five Stripes have McCann, who could slot into the starting XI, a free-kick specialist (Kevin Kratz) and a star who could return this weekend (Hector Villalba). Outside of that they have a few exciting, mostly unproven, young attacking options (Romario Williams, Brandon Vazquez, Andrew Carleton).
COACH:
Atlanta United
Hoo boy.
One coached one of the top 2-3 clubs in the world, Argentina, and won multiple titles in South American leagues. The other is one of the all-time great players at his position and has helped turn a club into one of the best teams in MLS after a disastrous expansion season.
Tata Martino needs to be given credit for realizing the 4-2-3-1 tactical setup he used in 2017 wasn't going to work with this group. His switch to a 3-man backline has spurred Atlanta to the top of the table.
Patrick Vieira built a team that values possession, but they have also been naive in some of the most crucial moments of his tenure. They have changed up their pressing schemes a bit this year, and Vieira has been more willing to change his formation, but their 4-0 loss at the hands of the Red Bulls earlier this season still sticks in the back of my mind.
