Atlanta United (6-4-7) will host D.C. United (6-6-5) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The game will be televised on Apple TV. You can sync the radio broadcast from 92.9 FM through the app.
Here is a scouting report for the game:
D.C. United manager: Wayne Rooney
D.C. United on road: 3-4-2
Atlanta United at home: 5-1-2
D.C. United goals for/against: 24/21
D.C. United expected goals for/against: 21.1/17.6
D.C. United past five matches: D-W-L-D-W
Atlanta United goals for/against: 32/28
Atlanta United expected goals for/against: 24.9/21.7
Atlanta United past five matches: W-D-D-D-D
D.C. United key players
Christian Benteke: Eight goals, two assists
Mateusz Klich: Two goals, four assists
Theodore Ku-Dipietro: Three goals, one assist
Atlanta United key players
Thiago Almada: Seven goals, eight assists
Giorgos Giakoumakis: Nine goals
Luiz Araujo: Three goals, two assists
Talking points
Will offense improve? For the first time in franchise history, Atlanta United didn’t put a shot on goal in Wednesday’s 0-0 draw at LAFC. It should. It has scored 14 goals at home.
Brad Guzan again. Guzan made eight saves against LAFC in one of the better performances in franchise history from any position. A hot goalkeeper can carry a team a long way.
Defensive energy. Atlanta United worked hard on defense against LAFC, putting in effort throughout the game to block shots and crosses, which is something manager Gonzalo Pineda said was good to see. D.C. United will play directly. That type of energy will be needed again.
Injury reports
Atlanta United
Questionable: Ozzie Alonso (ACL recovery) and Santiago Sosa (ankle).
Out: Erik Lopez (ankle).
D.C. United
Questionable: Andy Najar (thigh) and Ku-DiPietro (ankle).
Out: Martin Rodriguez (knee), Nigel Robertha (ankle), Mohanad Jeahze (thigh) and Ruan (thigh).
Atlanta United’s predicted 11
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan
Centerback Miles Robinson
Centerback JuanJo Purata
Right fullback Brooks Lennon
Left fullback Andrew Gutman
Defensive midfielder Franco Ibarra
Midfielder Amar Sejdic
Attacking midfielder Thiago Almada
Right wing Derrick Etienne
Left wing Caleb Wiley
Striker Giorgos Giakoumakis
About the Author
