Doug Roberson’s prediction for Atlanta United’s starting 11 against Cincinnati on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium:
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan
Centerback Miles Robinson
Centerback Michael Parkhurst
Centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez
Right wingback Gordon Wild
Left wingback Mikey Ambrose
Defensive midfielder Jeff Larentowicz
Midfielder Kevin Kratz
Midfielder Andrew Carleton
Midfielder Hector Villalba
Striker Romario Williams
This 11 was very difficult to predict because of the compressed schedule.
Atlanta United played at Monterrey on Wednesday and flew home on Thursday. Ten of the 11 starters in that game also started the D.C. United game on March 3.
The team will host Monterrey on Wednesday in the second leg trailing 3-0 and figures to put out its strongest starting lineup in hopes of getting to at least extra time. To do that, it probably needs to rest a few players on Sunday.
I struggled with selecting the wingbacks. Gordon Wild has yet to play in MLS. Mikey Ambrose has started the past two games, but there’s really no other player available other than Brek Shea, who has started the past three games.
Also, several of the players on the senior team (George Bello, Florentin Pogba) were scheduled to play for Atlanta United 2 on Saturday. Others (Julian Gressel, Franco Escobar) are injured.
Anyway, feel free to share your predicted 11.
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