Who will be in Atlanta United’s starting 11 for Saturday’s game against LAFC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium?
I’m going to provide two predicted lineups. One will feature the 3-5-2 formation the team has used during its three-game winning streak. The other will be a 4-3-3 formation the team used most of last year and in the season-opening loss at Houston.
I think the team will continue to use the 3-5-2 because if it’s not broke, why change?
“I think we’ve done a great job with it,” midfielder Darlington Nagbe said. “At home, we scored a bunch of goals and defended well, in my opinion. On the road, last game we played on the road last game and had adversity but I thought we handled it well to fight and defend.”
Nagbe said the players are occupying spaces well and moving well within the formation.
There will be at least two starters on defense missing, and probably three. Leandro Gonzalez Pirez (yellow card accumulation) and Franco Escobar (concussion) will definitely be out. Fullback Greg Garza (shoulder) has yet to train with the team this week. Martino said a decision on his status will likely be made Friday.
Here is what I think you will see in the 3-5-2:
Goalkeeper: Brad Guzan
Right wingback: Julian Gressel.
Centerback: Miles Robinson, who has played well with Atlanta United 2 in its two games and is the last natural centerback remaining on the roster.
Centerback: Michael Parkhurst.
Centerback: Chris McCann.
Left wingback: Mikey Ambrose.
Holding midfielder: Jeff Larentowicz.
Midfielder: Darlington Nagbe.
Attacking midfielder: Miguel Almiron.
Striker: Hector Villalba.
Striker: Josef Martinez.
Here is my crack at the 4-3-3:
Goalkeeper: Brad Guzan.
Right fullback: Sal Zizzo.
Centerback: Chris McCann.
Centerback: Michael Parkhurst.
Left fullback: Mikey Ambrose.
Holding midfielder: Jeff Larentowicz.
Holding midfielder: Julian Gressel.
Midfielder: Darlington Nagbe.
Left midfielder: Miguel Almiron.
Right midfielder: Hector Villalba.
Striker: Josef Martinez.
About the Author
