Well, this will be a tricky one.
Atlanta United and New York City FC square off on Saturday with varying levels of a selection quandary. Atlanta is missing both of its starting centerbacks and two of its DPs. NYC doesn’t have its starting keeper, its No. 10, its DP winger, and a laundry list of others. It will be interesting to see who ends up on the pitch and how each manager uses their bench in a match both teams need as the season approaches its end.
Get ready for Atlanta United vs. New York City FC
Scarves and Spikes Prematch Show | Saturday, 6:30 p.m. ET
Instant reaction to Atlanta United’s starting XI, plus a final outlook before kickoff. Click here →
Atlanta United vs. NYCFC Match Thread and How to Watch
How to tune in to Atlanta vs. NYCFC, along with our match thread. Comment on the action with Atlanta United fans from all over. Click here →
Scouting NYCFC: Q&A with Andrew Leigh from New York Soccer Journal
Andrew Leigh from New York Soccer Journal gives us the scoop on the Pigeons. Click here →
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Sydney sits down with Andrew for a chat in our latest Patreon exclusive. Click here →
The scoop on New York City FC
8-10-8, 32 points, 10th in East
Last result: L 1-0 at Red Bull New York (September 18)
New York City is licking its wounds after a 1-0 loss to RBNY, dropping it to 1-4-4 in its past nine league matches. That’s left the Pigeons a point behind FC Cincinnati for the Eastern Conference’s ninth and final playoff spot with eight matches remaining (Cincinnati has a match in hand, too). Needless to say, if you’re looking at this from an NYC angle, this is a must-win if it ultimately wants to make the postseason.
NYCFC, like Atlanta United, have several players on international duty. But they have even more players out due to injury. Maxi Moralez ruptured his left ACL in May and is out for the year. Talles Magno hasn’t played since August 23 while dealing with a leg muscle injury. Keaton Parks will miss Saturday as he deals with a leg injury of his own.
They did claim Matt Miazga on waivers, and while he’s not the same player he was a few years ago, he’ll be a player NYCFC will look to lean on to provide leadership and experience to the backline.
Atlanta United vs. New York City FC injuries, availability
Here we go:
Atlanta United – Miguel Almirón, Júnior Alonso, Paulo Díaz, and Alexey Miranchuk are all out on international duty.
NYCFC – Matt Freese, Tayvon Gray, Mitja Ilenic, Aiden O’Neill, and Maximo Carrizo are on international duty. Talles Magno, Maxi Moralez, Keaton Parks, Kai Trewin, Drew Baiera, and Arnau Farnós are injured.
Atlanta United’s projected lineup vs. New York City FC (4-3-3)
GK: Lucas Hoyos
D: Elias Báez, Enea Mihaj, Tomás Jacob, Matt Edwards
M: Tristan Muyumba, Giuliano Galoppo, Mauricio Amaro
F: Breel Embolo, Sergio Santos, Luke Brennan
Score prediction: Atlanta United 1-0 New York City FC
I have a feeling Embolo finds the net in this one as he gets his first goal from open play. It’ll stand up as Atlanta holds serve at home to keep itself in the playoff race.