Atlanta United (7-4-7) will host NYCFC (4-4-7) at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday 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:
NYCFC manager: Nick Cushing
NYCFC on road: 0-5-4
Atlanta United at home: 6-1-2
NYCFC goals for/against: 18/23
NYCFC expected goals for/against: 20.2/21.5
NYCFC past five matches: L-L-L-D-D
Atlanta United goals for/against: 35/29
Atlanta United expected goals for/against: 26.5/22.8
Atlanta United past five matches: D-D-D-D-W
NYCFC key players
Gabriel Pereira: Four goals, three assists
Santiago Rodriguez: Four goals, one assist
Talles Magno: Three goals, one assist
Atlanta United key players
Thiago Almada: Seven goals, nine assists
Andrew Gutman: Three goals, five assists
Talking points
Who will play? Because of the responsibilities and time commitment required to play for a national team, Atlanta United will be missing many players for Wednesday’s match. That group includes centerback Miles Robinson, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Luis Abram and Derrick Etienne. It may include Thiago Almada. There could be as many as 20 goals and 15 assists missing.
Time for the kids. With so many players, it could be a chance for Pineda to start all of the Homegrown signees and see what they can do. That would include Machop Chol, Tyler Wolff, Ajani Fortune, Noah Cobb and Caleb Wiley.
With a win. Atlanta United could move as high as fourth in the Eastern Conference, depending upon other results. Three of the next four games are on the road, so earning three points Wednesday is a must.
Injury reports
Atlanta United
Questionable: Erik Lopez (ankle) and Thiago Almada (international duty).
Out: Santiago Sosa (ankle), Miles Robinson (international duty), Derrick Etienne (international duty), Luis Abram (international duty) and Giorgos Giakoumakis (suspension).
NYCFC
Out: James Sands (international duty), Maxime Chanot (international duty), Thiago Martins (lower body)
Officiating crew
Referee: Jon Freemon
Assistants: Ian McKay, Walt Heatherly
Fourth official: Sergii Demianchuk
VAR: Sorin Stoica
AVAR: Jonathan Johnson
Atlanta United’s predicted 11
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan
Centerback Noah Cobb
Centerback JuanJo Purata
Right fullback Ronald Hernandez
Left fullback Andrew Gutman
Defensive midfielder Franco Ibarra
Midfielder Matheus Rossetto
Attacking midfielder Amar Sejdic
Right wing Brooks Lennon
Left wing Caleb Wiley
Striker Miguel Berry
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Atlanta United’s 2023 MLS schedule
Feb. 25 Atlanta United 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1
March 4 Atlanta United 1, Toronto FC 1
March 11 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte FC 0
March 18 Atlanta United 5, Portland 1
March 25 Columbus 6, Atlanta United 1
April 1 Atlanta United 1, New York Red Bulls 0
April 8 Atlanta United 1, New York City FC 1
April 15 Atlanta United 2, Toronto FC 2
April 23 Atlanta United 2, Chicago 1
April 29 Nashville SC 3, Atlanta United 1
May 6 Inter Miami CF 2, Atlanta United 1
May 13 Charlotte 3, Atlanta United 1
May 17 Atlanta United 4, Colorado 0
May 20 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 3
May 27 Atlanta United 1, Orlando 1
May 31 Atlanta United 3, New England 3
June 7 Atlanta United 0, LAFC 0
June 10 Atlanta United 3, NYCFC 1
June 21 vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m.
June 24 at New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
July 2 vs. Philadelphia Union, 4 p.m., Fox
July 8 at CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
July 12 at New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m.
July 15 vs. Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m., FS1
July 25 at Miami in Leagues Cup, 7:30 p.m.
July 29 vs. Cruz Azul in Leagues Cup, 8 p.m.
Aug. 20 at Seattle Sounders, 10:30 p.m.
Aug. 26 vs. Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 30 vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 2 at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 16 vs. Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 at NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 23 vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 7 vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 21 at FC Cincinnati, TBA
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