Good Tuesday morning, y’all! Jackson here to welcome you into the day with this edition of the Scarves and Spikes newsletter.
Seven (!) Atlanta United players heeded the call for their international sides, including Miguel Almirón (Paraguay), Júnior Alonso (Paraguay), Paulo Díaz (Chile), Breel Embolo (Switzerland), Alexey Miranchuk (Russia), Fafa Picault (Haiti) and Cooper Sanchez (U.S. U-20).
It’s a huge honor for all involved, and brings more recognition and legitimacy to the club… but it leaves the Five Stripes a bit shorthanded for their upcoming fixture at home this weekend against NYCFC. Thankfully, Embolo and Sanchez will remain with the squad and join their national teams following the match, but it still leaves a big mark on the roster as a whole.
Hopefully, these conflicts resolve in the near future once MLS switches the season calendar to align with the international one following the sprint season, but for now, teams are left to deal with the consequences of overlapping domestic and international matches.
How will Atlanta’s ability be impacted this upcoming weekend compared to last, where a fully available squad managed a 1-0 win on the road in Portland? (Be sure to rate those players in our player ratings form, which closes at 7:00 pm tonight.)
NYCFC will be missing just three players due to call ups: goalkeeper Matt Freese, defender Tayvon Gray, and midfielder Aiden O’Neill. They’ve been dealing with injury issues as well, to numerous players.
Regardless of who lines up across the pitch on Saturday, Atlanta will have to look to some of the lesser heard names of the roster if they are to continue this run of positive results.
Top Story
Atlanta United at Portland Timbers: Player ratings form
Rate the players after Atlanta United’s 1-0 win on the road in Portland.
Also…
Atlanta United 2, Kovac end historic regular season with win at Orlando
ATL UTD 2 is playoff-bound after doubling up Orlando City B on the road.
ICYMI: MLS Monday!
Sydney and Jackson are joined by longtime MLS writer Charlie Boehm to chat about the results and storylines of the weekend.
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That’s your rundown for today. See you at the next one!