Atlanta United defenders Franco Escobar (chest) and Chris McCann (hamstring) will not participate in Sunday’s game against Orlando City, manager Gerardo Martino said Friday.
McCann has missed the past two games, a 2-1 win at Chicago and 2-0 loss to Sporting KC because of the hamstring. Escobar suffered his injury in the second half of the Chicago game. He also missed the Sporting KC game.
Additionally, Martino said that the team is waiting to see if goalkeepers Alec Kann and Mitch Hildebrandt, who are recovering from knee injuries, will be able to participate. Starting goalkeeper Brad Guzan received a red card in the loss to Sporting KC, which means he is suspended for Sunday’s game. Paul Christensen, who a day before the game was signed on an emergency loan because of the injuries to the other two goalkeepers, came on for his debut. He is expected to be in the 18 for Sunday’s game.
Martino said Atlanta United switched formations to a 4-3-3 for the game against Sporting KC because of their style of play. With a dearth of centerbacks and because they are likely using the inexperienced Christensen in goal and because Orlando will likely use a 4-2-3-1, Martino may choose to use the 4-3-3 again, instead of the 3-5-2 that he used during most of the team’s eight-game unbeaten streak.
The 4-3-3 relies on just two centerbacks. If Orlando plays the 4-2-3-1, Atlanta United’s two centerbacks, Michael Parkhurst and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, would be able to focus on Lions striker Dom Dwyer.
