Who will start for Atlanta United in Wednesday’s game against St. Louis in the U.S. Open Cup at Kennesaw State?
It’s going to be interesting.
Atlanta United is beat up. Not available for selection by manager Frank de Boer are fullback George Bello, centerback Flo Pogba, midfielders Kevin Kratz, Hector Villalba and Ezequiel Barco. All have injuries.
U.S. Open Cup rules allow for just five international players. Atlanta United has four healthy Internationals: fullback Franco Escobar and midfielders Eric Remedi, Pity Martinez and Dion Pereira.
Lastly, Atlanta United played twice last week and must fly to Seattle on Friday or Saturday for a game on Sunday with Houston coming to Mercedes-Benz Stadium next Wednesday and D.C. United next Sunday.
“We have enough people,” de Boer said. “We have approach this as a very serious game. We want to go as far as possible in the U.S. Open Cup. We will have a very strong team tomorrow and the strongest bench possible.”
Here we go:
Goalkeeper - Brad Guzan
Right fullback - Gordon Wild. He was supposed to shift back to his natural role as a winger, but I think this situation necessitates him filling in for one game. I don't see Escobar being used with the glut of games upcoming.
Centerback - Miles Robinson.
Centerback - Leandro Gonzalez Pirez.
Left fullback - Brek Shea.
Defensive midfielder - Jeff Larentowicz. The red card he received in Sunday's draw with Red Bulls won't take effect until Sunday at Seattle.
Defensive midfielder - Emerson Hyndman.
Wide midfielder - Andrew Carleton.
Wide midfielder - Dion Pereira.
Attacking midfielder - Brandon Vazquez.
Striker - Josef Martinez.
The bench will be Alec Kann, Michael Parkhurst, Franco Escobar, Pity Martinez, Justin Meram, Darlington Nagbe and Mikey Ambrose.
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