Predicting Atlanta United’s starting 11 vs. Cincinnati

July 10, 2019 Kennesaw: Atlanta United midfielder Emerson Hyndman (center) gets the assist passing it off to midfielder Gonzalo Martinez (left) for the goal and a 1-0 lead over St. Louis in a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals soccer match on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Kennesaw. Atlanta United won the match 2-0. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: compton@ajc.com

Credit: compton@ajc.com

July 10, 2019 Kennesaw: Atlanta United midfielder Emerson Hyndman (center) gets the assist passing it off to midfielder Gonzalo Martinez (left) for the goal and a 1-0 lead over St. Louis in a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals soccer match on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Kennesaw. Atlanta United won the match 2-0. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Doug Roberson of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution predicts Atlanta United’s starting 11 for Wednesday’s MLS game against Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium:

Goalkeeper Brad Guzan

Centerback Franco Escobar

Centerback Miles Robinson

Centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, who will back in the starting lineup in place of Flo Pogba. Manager Frank de Boer said on Tuesday that Gonzalez Pirez will start. He didn’t say where.

Right wingback Julian Gressel

Left wingback Justin Meram

Defensive midfielder Jeff Larentowicz

Defensive midfielder Darlington Nagbe

Attacking midfielder Emerson Hyndman, who will be in for the injured Ezequiel Barco.

Striker Brandon Vazquez. I think Vazquez may get the start in place of Pity Martinez because I think Cincinnati is going to bunker. Because it will bunker, Atlanta United is going to hit a lot of crosses. The players providing those crosses need more than one target. Vazquez, who is 6-3,  is a much better target than Pity Martinez. Plus, Martinez’s passing wasn’t great last week. If he starts and he’s off with his passing on Wednesday, it could lead to Cincinnati counterattacks. Atlanta United has had a lot of trouble recently defending counterattacks.

Striker Josef Martinez

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