After defeating Chattanooga 4-0 in its preseason opener, Atlanta United will next play MLS Columbus in Charleston, S.C., on Saturday.
Kickoff is 4:30 p.m. The game will be live-streamed. This will be Columbus' preseason debut.
Scouting the Crew
Last year: A year after appearing in the MLS Cup finals, Columbus went 8-14-12 with 50 goals scored and 58 allowed.
Ties to Atlanta: Centerhalf Michael Parkhurst left the Crew and signed with Atlanta United as a free agent.
Manager: Gregg Berhalter, fourth season.
The roster
Goalkeepers (2): Zack Steffen, Brad Stuver
Defenders (10): Lalas Abubakar (INT'L), Harrison Afful (INT'L), Alex Crognale (HG), Waylon Francis, Hector Jimenez, Jonathan Mensah (DP, INT'L), Nicolai Naess (INT'L), Jukka Raitala (INT'L), Gaston Sauro, Josh Williams.
Midfielders (13): Mohammed Abu (INT'L), Dilly Duka, Ethan Finlay, Niko Hansen, Federico Higuain (DP), Cristian Martinez (INT'L), Justin Meram, Abuchi Obinwa, Rodrigo Saravia (INT'L), Ben Swanson (HG), Tony Tchani, Wil Trapp (HG), Artur de Lima Junior (INT'L).
Forward (3): Marshall Hollingsworth, Adam Jahn, Ola Kamara (INT'L).
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Moves since last season:
IN
D - Alex Crognale (12/20/16 - Homegrown)
D - Jukka Raitala (12/23/16 - free)
D - Jonathan Mensah (1/3/17 - transfer from Anzhi Makhachkala)
D - Josh Williams (1/5/17 - Re-Entry Draft)
D - Lalas Abubakar (1/13/17 - SuperDraft)
F - Niko Hansen (1/13/17 - SuperDraft)
M - Mohammed Abu (1/24/17 - transfer from Stromsgodset)
M - Abuchi Obinwa (1/25/17 - free)
M - Artur (2/13/17 - loan from Sao Paulo)
OUT
D - Tyson Wahl (10/24/16 - retired)
F - Conor Casey (10/27/16 - retired)
GK - Steve Clark (11/23/16 - option declined)
GK - Matt Pacifici (11/23/16 - option declined)
D - Corey Ashe (11/23/16 - option declined)
M - Cedrick Mabwati (11/23/16 - option declined)
D - Chad Barson (11/23/16 - out of contract)
D - Michael Parkhurst (12/11/16 - traded to Atlanta)
M - Mohammed Saeid (12/13/16 - Expansion Draft)
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Players to watch: Ola Kamara scored 16 goals in 25 appearances. Kei Kamara, who was traded to New England during the season, scored 12 in 30 appearances. Abubakar was one of the players who shone at the Combine. Ethan Finlay improved to the point of getting called up to the U.S. national team.
Websites about the team: www.dispatch.com/sports, www.massivereport.com, www.crewture.net.
Here’s how to read the AJC’s coverage of Atlanta United:
Web: On the Atlanta United channel on AJC.com.
Facebook: On our Facebook page at Atlanta United News Now.
Twitter: Follow Doug Roberson on twitter @DougRobersonAJC.
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