Atlanta United FC vs Minnesota United FC: 2017 MLS Match Preview

Atlanta United FC vs. Minnesota United FC 2017 MLS Regular Season Mercedes-Benz Stadium  Atlanta, Ga. Tuesday, Oct. 3 – 7 pm ET WATCH: MLS LIVE (USA) | TVAS (CAN)

Nearly seven months after their memorable, snow-covered encounter, the two 2017 expansion teams will meet once again to kick off a shortened Week 31 slate.

Plenty has changed since that eventful March 12 meeting that saw Atlanta United run out 6-1 winners over Minnesota, though both teams seasons have played out as you might have expected from that scoreline. Atlanta have surpassed expectations and find themselves in the mix for a top-two position in the Eastern Conference, while Minnesota have struggled for much of the season though have shown marked improvement in recent weeks.

This time around, the teams will look a little different with both sides missing players to international duty and Atlanta star Miguel Almiron missing out through injury. Atlanta have plenty of talent to fall back on, though, with the Argentine duo of Yamil Asad and Hector Villalba looking to continue their recent runs of form.

Minnesota, while technically still in the playoff hunt, face extremely long odds and will be eliminated should they lose this game. With a number of key contributors, including Kevin Molino and Francisco Calvo, representing their countries in World Cup qualifying this week, the game should give head coach Adrian Heath a prime opportunity to continue his evaluations as the task of 2018 roster building approaches.

Atlanta United FC

Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left) GK: Kyle Reynish  Anton Walkes, Michael Parkhurst, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Greg Garza – Carlos Carmona, Jeff Larentowicz – Yamil Asad, Julian Gressel, Hector Villalba – Kenwyne Jones

Notes: Atlantas eight-game undefeated streak is the third-longest for an expansion team in MLS history, the longest since the San Jose Earthquakes went nine games without loss in their return season of 2008 (record: 11 games, Chicago Fire, 1998). … Atlanta also became the first expansion team in MLS history to record shutouts in four consecutive matches, now 392 minutes since their last goal allowed (also a record scoreless streak for an MLS expansion team).

Minnesota United FC

Projected Starting XI (4-4-2, right to left) GK: Bobby Shuttleworth  Jerome Thiesson, Jermaine Taylor, Brent Kallman, Marc Burch –Finlay, Ibson, Collin Martin, Miguel Ibarra – Christian Ramirez, Abu Danladi

Notes: Minnesota United saw their two-game winning streak put to an end at Houston on Sept. 30, falling 2-1 at BBVA Compass Stadium. The two-game winning streak marked the first time in MNUFCs MLS history they had won consecutive matches.