Predicting Atlanta United’s starting XI at FC Cincinnati

The Rob Valentino era begins tonight as Atlanta United heads to TQL Stadium for the first time to visit FC Cincinnati. How we got to this stage has already been documented so I won’t dive into things in depth here, but feel free to look back on our coverage over the past few days.

Personally, I’m interested in seeing how the team comes out under its temporary head coach, especially considering the tension that hung over the training ground during the brief tenure of Gabriel Heinze. Both Valentino and the players understand that he’s keeping the seat warm for Atlanta’s 4th permanent coach, but they also understand that getting a flagging attack kick-started right away rather than waiting until the new head coach arrives is critical if they’re to position themselves back in the playoff hunt. Oh, by the way, Josef Martinez will be available for selection.

Here’s how I think the starting XI will look.

GK—Alec Kann

LB—Anton Walkes (c)

CB—George Campbell

CB—Alan Franco

RWB—Brooks Lennon

MF—Santiago Sosa

MF—Amar Sejdić

CM—Marcelino Moreno

LW—Erik López

RW—Jake Mulraney

ST—Josef Martinez

Not much to add, except that there’s no way Josef Martinez doesn’t start this match, right? As for the rest of the lineup, as always, let me know down in the comments what you think.