Who will start for Atlanta United when it hosts Orlando City on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium?
Well, Darlington Nagbe won’t start. He is out 2-3 months with an adductor injury. Who manager Gerardo Martino chooses as the midfielder’s replacement will determine a few other places in the lineup.
Martino mentioned last week that either Julian Gressel or Kevin Kratz could move into the role as a central midfielder. Gressel is doing great work on the right, so not having him delivering crosses would be a loss.
However, if moving him inside means that Hector Villalba moves into the starting lineup and adds some adrenaline to the offense…that may not be a bad thing.
With that in mind, here’s my predicted 11:
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Right fullback Franco Escobar.
Centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez.
Centerback Michael Parkhurst, the team’s captain.
Left fullback Mikey Ambrose.
Holding midfielder Jeff Larentowicz.
Midfielder Julian Gressel.
Attacking midfielder Miguel Almiron.
Right midfielder Hector Villalba.
Left midfielder Ezequiel Barco.
Striker Josef Martinez.
