Atlanta United vs. Toronto FC | 2018 MLS Match Preview
autty 2018-08-02 06:16:03 评论
Atlanta United vs. Toronto FC 2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 23 Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta August 4 - 4 pm ET WATCH: ESPN, TSN4
The current MLS Supporters Shield leaders will host last year’s runaway winners when Atlanta United meet Toronto FC Saturday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Five Stripes have lost just once in their last 11 games and have a four-point cushion atop the league table, while Toronto have won back-to-back games for the first time this season and the now-healthy Reds appear to be on a climb up the Eastern Conference standings.
Each of the first two meetings between Atlanta and Toronto have ended in 2-2 draws.
Atlanta United
Atlanta (14-4-5) halted the Montreal Impacts strong run of form at Stade Saputo, winning 2-1 last Saturday night.
Josef Martinez continued his torrid scoring pace, netting a brace to increase his total to a remarkable 24 goals in 23 games. That moves him within three goals of the MLS regular-season record held by Roy Lassiter, Chris Wondolowski and Bradley Wright-Phillips, as Atlanta extended their unbeaten streak to four games.
“Theres nothing else to do when a player performs like that,” Tata Martino said of Martinez. “We just hope it lasts the entire season. When a goal scorer is performing at such a high level, you just have to let him be.”
Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left) GK: Brad Guzan — Miles Robinson, Michael Parkhurst, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Chris McCann — Julian Gressel, Jeff Larentowicz — Hector Villalba, Miguel Almiron, Ezequiel Barco — Josef Martinez
Toronto FC
Toronto FC (6-11-4) made it consecutive league wins over the Chicago Fire and four victories in a row in all competitions when they defeated the Fire, 3-0, at BMO Field Saturday night.
Jozy Altidore opened the scoring on a rebound, his first league goal since bagging a brace in a 3-1 home win over Real Salt Lake in March. Twenty minutes later, the in-form Jonathan Osorio made it 2-0 and Sebastian Giovinco clinched the win with a deflected strike one minute from full time.
“[The game against Atlanta] comes at a good time. Were trending in the right direction, had our best half I think of probably the season in-league in the second half last game,” Greg Vanney said. “I thought our rhythm came back, some of the swagger that we know of our group started to arrive again.”
Projected Starting XI (3-1-4-2, right to left) GK: Alex Bono — Gregory van der Wiel, Eriq Zavaleta, Chis Mavinga — Michael Bradley — Ashtone Morgan, Victor Vazquez, Jonathan Osorio, Justin Morrow — Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore
All-Time Series
Officials
Referee: Armando Villarreal Assistant Referees: Kyle Atkins, Cameron Blanchard 4th Official: Marcos DeOliveira VAR: Guido Gonzales
- 消息参考来源: MLSSOCCER
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