The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Doug Roberson (@DougRobersonAJC) predicts Atlanta United's starting 11 for Thursday's MLS playoff game against Philadelphia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPN2. It's on the radio at 92.9FM.
Neither centerback Michael Parkhurst (shoulder) nor Miles Robinson (hamstring) are available.
Manager Frank de Boer said last week that he players prefer playing with three centerbacks, five midfielders and two strikers, though one of those strikes is really more of a play-maker.
Here we go:
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan
Centerback Franco Escobar
Centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez
Centerback Flo Pogba
Right wingback Julian Gressel
Left wingback Justin Meram
Defensive midfielder Jeff Larentowicz
Defensive midfielder Darlington Nagbe
Midfielder Emerson Hyndman
Striker Ezequiel Barco
Striker Josef Martinez
De Boer said he likes the balance of Larentowicz, Nagbe and Hyndman, so he’d likely wouldn’t break that up.
He also said last week that Barco is playing well, so don’t expect him to come out in place of Pity Martinez.
Atlanta United has no centerbacks. Should it need one, Larentowicz can drop back and Eric Remedi can slide in at defensive midfielder.
Do you like this 11? Which players are in your predicted 11?
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