Minnesota United FC vs. Atlanta United FC | 2018 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

Minnesota United FC vs. Atlanta United FC
2018 MLS Regular Season – Week 5
TCF Bank Stadium — Minneapolis
8:00 pm ET – March 31, 2018
WATCH: MLS LIVE

The last, and only time, the two sides met in Minneapolis, Josef Martinez netted a first-half hat trick and Miguel Almiron added a brace in a 6-1 victory for Atlanta United FC, the historic first in club history.

After leaking a league-high 70 goals a year ago, Minnesota United FC appeared to have tightened up their defense, but a restructured backline surrendered three goals in a loss to the New York Red Bulls that snapped a two-game winning streak.

Atlanta United, meanwhile, are hoping to keep their mojo after outscoring opponents 7-2 in back-to-back wins following a season-opening 4-0 defeat at the Houston Dynamo.

Minnesota United FC

After two steps forward, Minnesota United FC took one step backward Saturday night, falling to the New York Red Bulls, 3-0, in Harrison. Adrian Heath had to completely rework his backline because of international duty and injuries and was down five overall starters against the Red Bulls.

“I just think collectively the better team won,” Heath said after the match. “I think that the better team wanted to win more than we did, which is not a good thing to say. And it’s been a disappointing day. It gives me food for thought of a lot of things because a lot of people have been waiting for an opportunity.”

On Monday came word that Francisco Calvo and Abu Danladi obtained green cards, which opened up international spots, which could help facilitate the reportedly imminent signing of Colombian striker Darwin Quintero.

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: M - Sam Cronin (cervicogenic dysfunction), M - Kevin Molino (torn left ACL); QUESTIONABLE: F - Abu Danladi (left hamstring strain), D - Tyrone Mears (right calf pull), D - Jerome Thiesson (left hip)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2–3-1, right to left)
GK: Matt Lampson — Carter Manley, Michael Boxall, Francisco Calvo, Marc Burch — Rasmus Schuller, Ibson — Ethan Finlay, Miguel Ibarra, Sam Nicholson — Christian Ramirez

Notes: Ethan Finlay has three goals and assists in his last three matches for Minnesota, as many as he had in his previous 10 MLS appearances. … The Loons have conceded in 16 straight games in MLS play, the longest active streak in the league.

Atlanta United FC

It’s hard to tell what Jeff Larentowicz remembers most — the driving snow or the avalanche of goals — when Atlanta United last played in Minneapolis. What is certain, though, is what the victory did for an expansion team’s confidence.

“It was huge,” Larentowicz told reporters Wednesday. “It showed to a new team that had never won before that they can win. Going on the road and winning, in those conditions, winning the way we did, against the other expansion team. There were a lot of things that played into that. It was important for the start of the year for us.”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: M - Ezequiel Barco (right quad strain), F - Joe Gallagher (ankle), F - Brandon Vazquez (left hamstring), D - Jose Hernandez (quad strain), GK - Mitch Hildebrandt (left knee sprain)

Projected Starting XI
(3-4-1-2, right to left)
GK: Brad Guzan — Franco Escobar, Michael Parkhurst, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez — Julian Gressel, Darlington Nagbe, Jeff Larentowicz, Chris McCann — Miguel Almiron — Hector Villalba, Josef Martinez

Notes: Since his club debut on July 21, 2017, Brad Guzan has kept eight clean sheets in league, tied for the most of any keeper. … Atlanta United are winless in their last six away games (2L-4D), scoring just three goals in those matches.

All-Time Series

Overall: Minnesota United FC 1 win, 4 goals … Atlanta United FC 1 win, 8 goals … Ties 0
At Minnesota: Minnesota United FC 0 win, 1 goal … Atlanta United FC 1 wins, 6 goals … Ties 0
Last meeting at Minnesota: Minnesota United FC 1, Atlanta United FC 6 (March 12, 2017)