Who will start for Atlanta United when it hosts the New York Red Bulls on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium?
That depends upon which formation manager Gerardo Martino chooses to use: the 3-5-2 formation in which the team is undefeated in nine games, going 8-0-1, or the 4-3-3 in which the team is 0-2. The difference in the two formations is that 3-5-2 replaces a midfielder with a defender. That midfielder seems to be Hector Villalba, who comes out in favor of Julian Gressel as a wingback.
Sunday’s formation likely will be determined by Martino’s scouting of New York manager Jesse Marsch. Like Atlanta United, the Red Bulls prefer to build play out of the back. A 4-3-3 system would better serve Atlanta United if it wants to press to try to disrupt the Red Bulls’ ability to play from the back.
The 3-5-2 would be a system used to soak up the Red Bulls and try to beat them with a counter-attack.
The 3-5-2 might also be a better system for keeping tabs on Red Bulls’ striker Bradley Wright-Phillips. There are a few advantages in using it because Atlanta United likely wouldn’t play as high a line as they would if they were using a 4-3-3. While that would allow Wright-Phillips to be closer to the goal, it would reduce the space between the back line and the goal that he could use to run into. Second, it would allow Martino to potentially give Miles Robinson his third start. He has looked good in his first two starts and has the speed to keep up with Wright-Phillips.
But, I think Martino will go with the 4-3-3:
Goalkeeper: Brad Guzan.
Right fullback: Sal Zizzo, on for his second start.
Centerback: Michael Parkhurst, the team's captain.
Centerback: Leandro Gonzalez Pirez.
Left fullback: Greg Garza.
Holding midfielder: Jeff Larentowicz.
Holding midfielder: Darlington Nagbe.
Attacking midfielder: Miguel Almiron, who has six goals and five assists this season as he builds an MVP campaign.
Left wing: Ezequiel Barco, who has two goals in his past three games.
Right wing: Hector Villalba, who doesn't have a goal or an assist since Week 2. His playing time has been cut back because of injuries and the switch in formation.
Striker: Josef Martinez, who is tied for the league lead with eight goals.
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