The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ATLANTA UNITED VS. NASHVILLE
Atlanta United (10-7-8) will host Nashville (11-8-5) at 7:30 p.m. today at Mercedes-benz Stadium. The game will be televised on Apple TV. You can sync the radio broadcast from 92.9 FM through the app.
Nashville manager: Gary Smith
Nashville on road: 3-6-3
Atlanta United at home: 7-2-3
Nashville goals for/against: 31/ 22
Nashville expected goals for/ against: 32.2/26.1
Nashville past five league matches: L-W-L-L-L
Atlanta United goals for/against: 44/39
Atlanta United expected goals for/against: 34.1 /29.6
Atlanta United past five matches: W-W-L-L-W
NASHVILLE KEY PLAYERS
Hany Mukhtar: 13 goals, seven assists
Jacob Shaffelburg: Three goals
Randall Leal: Three goals
Atlanta United key players Thiago Almada: Eight goals, 11 assists
Giorgos Giakoumakis: 12 goals
Caleb Wiley: Four goals, two assists
Brooks Lennon: Three goals, eight assists
TALKING POINTS
1. Another debut. Gonzalo Pineda said that Saba Lobjanidze, who began training with the team Wednesday, was the most fit of the three new signees who are with the team (the fourth, Jamal Thiare, is still waiting on his P-1 visa). Pineda wasted no time selecting Tristan Muyumba and Xande Silva to the starting 11s for the past two matches.
2. MVP. The match will feature three players who may be competing for the MLS MVP award at season’s end: Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar, the reigning MVP, and Atlanta United’s Thiago Almada and Giorgos Giakoumakis.
3. Defense. Atlanta United earned its seventh shutout in its 2-0 win at Seattle. But it was admittedly fortunate. It will need to clean up those mistakes.
OFFICIATING CREW
Referee: Jon Freemon Assistants: Jason White, Gianni Facchini
Fourth official: Joshua Encarnacion
INJURY REPORTS
Atlanta United
Out: Ozzie Alonso (leg), Franco Ibarra (loan) and Jamal Thiaré (visa).
Nashville
Out: Fafa Picault (red card) and Taylor Washington (red card).
WHAT WAS SAID
“I will say that they are a solid team. They are a very, very solid team. They have a lot of experience, line by line, they have solid players, experienced players, guys that know how to play in their system.” – Pineda
“We need to show that we are more competitive than anyone else. We have to show that intensity. We have to compete on the front foot since the very beginning. We have to show to the fans and to ourselves that we want to win more than the opponent, regardless of who it is. Respecting a lot Nashville. We have to think about who we are, so that’s been the message. We have to be aggressive against any opponent, especially at the Benz.” – Pineda
UNITED’S PREDICTED 11
■ Goalkeeper Brad Guzan
■ Centerback Luis Abram
■ Centerback Miles Robinson
■ Right fullback Brooks Lennon
■ Left fullback Caleb Wiley
■ Defensive midfielder Matheus Rossetto
■ Midfielder Tristan Muyumba
■ Attacking midfielder Thiago Almada
■ Winger Xande Silva
■ Winger Edwin Mosquera
■ Striker Giorgos Giakoumakis