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Atlanta United return home after their midweek triumph over Orlando City in the U.S. Open Cup to take on one of their biggest competitors for the top playoff seed in the Eastern conference. NYCFC has been a tough match-up for the Five Stripes through their first two years in the league with the two playing some intense games. They are 1-1-2 during the regular season against the Pigeons, but do have bragging rights after prevailing in the East semifinals last year on the way to winning MLS Cup.
Atlanta’s recent turnaround of form should be put to a big test today against a very good opponent. Ever since Frank de Boer switched up his formation to a 3-5-2/5-3-2/5-4-1 (whatever you want to call it), the results and style of play have been a lot more favorable with just the lone blemish being the tough defeat to LAFC on the road.
This match could end up being crucial to playoff positioning. Both teams have designs on capturing that No. 1 seed and first round bye. If NYCFC were to get full points in this one it would spell very bad news for Atlanta with the blue half of New York having two games in hand. A win against a good side would not only widen the points gap between the two but would prove that this new look formation and tweaked style of play is good enough to be the best teams in the league.
Let’s do the soccer.
Atlanta United’s Lineup:
TBA
NYCFC’s Lineup:
TBA
How to Watch
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Advertised Kickoff Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
Available TV: ESPN
Available Streaming: WatchESPN
Available Radio: 92.9 The Game, La Mejor 1600 AM
Pre-match coverage: 3:00 p.m.: AT&T Countdown to Kickoff (FB Live/Periscope)
3:30 p.m.: The Pre-Game show (92-9 The Game)
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