Atlanta United will host LAFC at 5 p.m. Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Five Stripes (3-1-0) are coming off a 1-0 win at Minnesota United.
LAFC (2-1-0) is coming off a 4-3 loss to the L.A. Galaxy that was notable for Zlatan Ibrahimovic's two goals.
Kevin Baxter (@kbaxter11) of the L.A. Times answered four questions about LAFC as part of the AJC’s coverage of the game:
1. How much of Atlanta United's "model" did LAFC use when preparing for its first season?
A: LAFC General Manager John Thorrington insists none. Here's how he answered that question: "I wouldn't say it's the same blueprint. We started with our vision of what we wanted to do, which is what we have done. And certainly there are similarities. The portion of our plan and vision that overlaps with theirs, their success has affirmed that portion of it. But we're doing our own thing. We didn't set out to mirror anything but learn from everything that came before. And they're certainly a big part of that.
“There are certain similarities between the profile of players, certainly some stylistic ways of playing that overlap. And it’s flattering in a certain sense to be compared with them. But we are content with where we are and we know there’s still more to come out of this group.”
2. Other than Ibrahimovic's inclusion, what happened to LAFC's offense in the second half of last week's loss?
A: It actually started 10 minutes before Ibra came in when Benny Feilhaber lost the ball deep in the LAFC zone and Sebastian Lletget scored for the Galaxy. At the time it didn't appear to be all that big a deal. But as players on both sides said afterward, that goal totally changed the game. It gave the Galaxy some hope and LAFC completely changed its approach after that. Carlos Vela said they stopped playing the way that had been all and started playing a different, less aggressive game, one they weren't accustomed to playing. Shortly after Ibra came in, Chris Pontius scored to make it a one-goal game and LAFC really started paying attention to Ibra. That opened it things up for everybody else.
But having said that, Marcos Urena hit the goalpost in the 86th minute. Vela had a shot saved and two others blocked in front between the 77th and 81st minute, and Eduard Atuesta missed on a shot in the 88th minute. If any of those go in, LAFC wins.
3. How is Lawrenceville's Walker Zimmerman doing with the club?
A: Not very well, actually. He strained a hamstring just before the final preseason game and hasn't played since. Dejan Jakovic has taken his place.
4. What is the matchup to watch Saturday?
A: Given the implosion against the Galaxy, the centerback pairing of Jakovic and Laurent Ciman are probably lacking for confidence. They're be out to win that back and I would expect they'll be targeting Josef Martinez very closely. If they target him too much, that will leave outside backs Steven Beitashour and rookie Joao Moutinho to mark Villalba and Almiron. Either one of those two could benefit.
On the other side, Vela and Marcos Urena both had good games against the Galaxy. LAFC’s front four is really, really fast. If Atlanta started Larentowicz as a holding mid, he won’t be able to keep up. If he needs help from another midfielder, that could slow Atlanta’s attack. That’s kind of the way LAFC has played defense all year, by possessing the ball and pushing forward, forcing opponents to set back and defend first.
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