Preview: Atlanta United vs. Columbus Crew SC | MLS is Back Tournament, Group E

MLSsoccer staff

2020 MLS is Back Tournament – Group E, Matchday 14
Atlanta United vs. Columbus Crew SC
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Tues., July 21 – 8:00 PM ET

TV: ESPN; TUDN; TSN in Canada

STREAMING: TUDN App in USA; TSN App in Canada

Columbus Crew SC have one of the biggest success stories through two rounds at the MLS is Back Tournament, while Atlanta United have been one of the most confounding disappointments. Crew SC want to keep the train rolling, while the Five Stripes can keep their slim chances of advancing alive by getting their attack back on track in both team's Group E finale Tuesday night.

ATLUTD come into this one after suffering consecutive 1-0 defeats to the New York Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati, while Columbus have yet to concede and have a tournament-best +6 goal differential after a 4-0 thumping of FC Cincy and a thorough 2-0 win over the Red Bulls in which they didn't concede a shot on frame.

Atlanta United

The Five Stripes have really felt the loss of key scorer Josef Martinez in Orlando with one of the league's most high-flying attacks stifled in the Florida heat. If they can turn back the clock and find their scoring touch, they can still make a run at one of the four wild card berths into the Round of 16. And, as Crew SC coach Caleb Porter pointed out, despite not scoring in the competition yet, Ezequiel Barco and Pity Martinez are still two of the best attacking players in the league.

Updated team roster

Injury Report:
- OUT: Josef Martinez (F) - torn ACL
Suspended: Jake Mulraney (D), JJ Williams (F)
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None

Columbus Crew SC

Think Porter and the Crew will take their foot off the gas in this one and cruise into the Round of 16? Think again. The goal for the group stage was nine points from three matches and Columbus aren't there just yet. That said, Porter has rotated his lineup, using five different players against the Red Bulls, and still getting the sought after result. Also, Darlington Nagbe is good. Really good. We knew this already, but ATLUTD boss Frank de Boer compared some of his qualities to Sergio Busquets in the buildup. Yeah, that good.