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One month, eight days removed from the 2020 regular season finale, a 2-1 loss to eventual MLS Cup winners Columbus. It was finally over. Time to rebuild. Manager rumors, transfer rumors, trades— the future is brightening. Soon, 2020 will be a distant, faded memory, something to think back on and chuckle as Atlanta United lifts its tenth straight Club World Cup or something.
But wait.
2020 has a parting gift for us, and what else could it be than the soccer tournament that embodies the mentality of the past year more than any other? That’s right, the Concacaf Champions League has returned after what is surely a record long nine month gap between legs of the quarterfinal stage for one last twist of the knife before we leave this year for good.
The Five Stripes, labeled the home side in Orlando, with a roster supplemented by 2s and an interim manager making his last stand, kick off to a 3-0 deficit from a match three quarters of a year ago. It doesn’t get more Concacaf-y than that, and we haven’t even started the match yet. Surely this all combines to give Atlanta the advantage through some weird laws of the soccer universe, and with absolutely nothing to lose (we’ll be back next year, 2021 reigning U.S. Open Cup champs baby!) I’m ready to sit back and enjoy the show.
If y’all are too, go check out our match preview and lineup prediction, then come make yourselves comfortable in the match thread below as we see out the year with some CCL action.
Atlanta United’s Lineup:
#ATLUTD's Starting XI vs Club América pic.twitter.com/7I8noh5VGF
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) December 17, 2020
Club América’s Lineup:
| Nuestro XI vs Atlanta United:
— Club América (@ClubAmerica) December 17, 2020
13 | @yosoy8a
3 | @Jorgiesanchez1
4 | @Seba4Caceres
5 | Santiago Cáseres
7 | @leosuarez_96
8 | @alonsoescoboza
9 | @rogermartinezt9
17 | @Cordovar97
20 | @richardsanchez
24 | @federicovinas98
32 | @ramonjr335 pic.twitter.com/bcAwptwDnu
How to Watch:
Venue: Exploria Stadium, Orlando, Florida
Kickoff Time: Wednesday, December 16th, 8:00 PM EST
Available TV: FS2, TUDN
Available Streaming: FOX Sports Go, Fubo TV (Free Trial)
Available Radio: 92.9 The Game
This thread will be your match thread. We don’t have many rules here. We just ask that you don’t insult each other personally and treat each other with respect. Debates can get heated and that’s fine, but name-calling and petty insults will get you banned. If you see a comment that you feel is out of line, please report it and it will be dealt with.
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