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Full-time: That’s it! Atlanta wins 4-1 in another dominant home performance.
‘88 - Atlanta United 4, Vancouver Whitecaps 1: ANDREW CARLETON HAS HIS FIRST-EVER MLS ASSIST!!!! The 17-year-old phenom got a solid runout and paid his manager back with a lovely assist on Josef Martinez’s hat trick goal to make it 4-1!
ANDREW MESSI CARLETON ASSIST DOT GIF pic.twitter.com/c4A3lyCcEW
— Dirty South Soccer (@DirtySouthSoc) March 18, 2018
‘85 - Atlanta United 3, Vancouver Whitecaps 1: It wouldn’t be an Atlanta United match without a leaky goal conceded. Sure enough, Erik Hurtado has struck on the break for a consolation goal.
‘57 - Atlanta United 3, Vancouver Whitecaps 0: Just minutes after making it 2-0 and Atlanta have extended the lead to 3-0. Miguel Almiron found Josef Martinez in acres of space one on one with the goalkeeper and the No. 7 did what he does and finished with pure confidence.
Josef doing Josef tings pic.twitter.com/nnGbmWQ3Tx
— Dirty South Soccer (@DirtySouthSoc) March 18, 2018
‘55 - Atlanta United 2, Vancouver Whitecaps 0: Finally Atlanta United have found their second and it’s taken a Whitecaps player to put it in the net. Julian Gressel forced Aaron Maund to put it in his own net to make it 2-0.
Half-time: Despite having tons of possession and chances, Atlanta have been unable to add to their 1-0 lead. It’s been pure domination, but this result won’t feel secure until they find a second.
‘15 - Atlanta United 1, Vancouver Whitecaps 0: The Five Stripes have taken a first half lead after a weird series of events. Kendall Waston has been shown a red card for an elbow on Leandro Gonazlez Pirez instead the penalty area. Along with the red, a penalty was award. Josef Martinez stepped up and made no mistake to give Atlanta the lead.
Josef with a little sass from the spot. 1-0 Good Guys. pic.twitter.com/0h5WgdJCus
— Dirty South Soccer (@DirtySouthSoc) March 17, 2018
Lineups Announced: One change for Tata Martino’s side from the eleven trotted out against D.C. United. Chris McCann comes in at left midfield/wingback for Greg Garza who starts on the bench. The 3-5-2 returns. Meanwhile for Vancouver, Kei Kamara is not in the matchday squad as he’s not with the team after sustaining a groin injury.
Pre-Match: Coming off of their first win of the season in a dominant performance against D.C. United, Atlanta United look to keep their success going tonight. The opponent for the third match of the season is also a team that the Five Stripes have never beaten, albeit in only one try.
The Vancouver Whitecaps come to town and bring their mammoth aerial assassins with them. The likes of Kendall Waston and Kei Kamara will be chomping at the bit to line up against Atlanta’s small defenders on set pieces. It’ll be a battle of styles with United’s possession-oriented play going against Vancouver’s patient defending and counter-attacking.
Can Atlanta finish off their chances and limit the set piece opportunities for the visitors? That should determine the result of this one.
Note: We’re trying something new with our match threads this year. We’ll be updating the post with updates of goals and big moments as they happen. Check back every so often during the match for highlights and commentary.
Atlanta United’s Lineup:
#ATLUTD's Starting XI against @WhitecapsFC pic.twitter.com/xgEZ0OogA4
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) March 17, 2018
Vancouver Whitecaps’ Lineup:
The XI that will try to make it three straight wins!
— Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) March 17, 2018
Stay tuned for the formation. #ATLvVAN pic.twitter.com/L0ngObde1n
How to Watch
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Kickoff Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Available TV: FOX Sports South
Available Streaming: fuboTV (free trial), FOX Sports GO, MLS Live (Outside Local Viewing Area)
Available Radio: WAOK 1380 AM (English), AT&T Countdown to Kickoff (FB Live/Periscope), Simulcast on SiriusXM FC Channel 157, La Mejor 1600 AM (Spanish)
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