Predicting Atlanta United’s starting lineup at Colorado Rapids

After a long international break, Atlanta United resumes action against the Colorado Rapids. The return of Franco Escobar and Darlington Nagbe is a welcome one, but also throws quite the wrench in a lineup prediction. Who starts in midfield? How do you sort out the right side of the field? Let’s try and answer all of this.

Here is the definite, surefire lineup for Sept. 15.*

*I’m probably wrong.

Formation: 4-3-3. This is tough. Tata Martino hinted earlier in the week that the 3-5-2 could make a return, but I think there’s a better way of including our best personnel for this match.

Goalkeeper: Brad Guzan.

Left Back: Chris McCann.

Center Back #1: Leandro Gonzalez Pirez.

Center Back #2: Michael Parkhurst.

Right Back: Julian Gressel. It appears that Escobar didn’t return to full training until Wednesday, and it would be tough to throw him into the fire that soon after a quad injury. I think we see the German at right back again.

Central Midfielder #1: Jeff Larentowicz.

Central Midfielder #2: Eric Remedi. It’s too early for Nagbe to return to the starting lineup, but I would imagine he’ll be needed in a short turnaround against the San Jose Earthquakes. Expect to see him come off the bench on Saturday.

Attacking Midfielder: Miguel Almiron.

Left Winger: Ezequiel Barco.

Right Winger: Tito Villalba.

Striker: Josef Martinez. Nice to have him back early from international duty.

To recap, here’s my projected lineup against the Colorado Rapids.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.