This afternoon the five stripes host DC in the ATL. ATL is coming in top of the east, with the second most PPG in the east (beyond NYCFC) and the second best xG difference in the league per AmericanSoccerAnalysis (only behind Houston). DC has finally opened up their new stadium, but go back on the road for a game before their home-heavy schedule in the second half of league play.
The story for ATLUTD is the inclusion of Eric Remedi (#thiccfielder), the new defensive midfielder from Newell's old boys in Argentina. For more on Newell's connection to ATLUTD, read the excellent piece on TheAthletic from Felipe Cardenas: link. Remedi is not expected to start, but the ATL faithful would be disappointed not to see their new piece play a part in the upcoming match. Due to the similar styles of Newell's and ATLUTD, it is expected that Remedi will be able to somewhat seamlessly fit in with the five stripes. The continued absence of Darlington Nagbe due to injury points to the importance of the inclusion of Remedi into the squad for the remainder of the season. ATLUTD finally got their defensive midfielder that had been speculated upon since the departure of Carlos Carmona in the offseason. Hopefully we will get to see his debut against DC.
It is hard not to make the focus for DC upon Wayne Rooney. The Evertonian is making his second appearance for the DC boys after coming on for the final half hour against Vancouver last week. Rooney was able to get an assist to Paul Arriola for DC's third goal of the game. The former England international was the creative and goal scoring force for Everton over the first half of the Premier League season last fall, so he clearly has the quality to be an influential presence in MLS. The question is how will his legs hold out in the DC heat, and thus how much time will he actually spend on the field.
We hope to see an open game, with DC playing a substantially less bunker and counter style this year than what we saw in 2017 that gave ATLUTD such fits. ATLUTD will hope to cure some of their home struggles where they have repeatedly been unable to break down deep-lying teams.
Prediction based on basically nothing: 3-2 ATL. Josef with a brace, Rooney bags a late one for his first MLS goal, but it means nothing.
Saturday, July 21, 2018
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
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