ATL All Day
Fansided

Atlanta United FC: Facing Reigning MLS Royalty Without Its Best Player

By W. M. Lawson

Mar 5, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta United defender Julian Gressel (24) kicks the ball in the first half of their game against the New York Red Bulls at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field. The Red Bulls won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta United defender Julian Gressel (24) kicks the ball in the first half of their game against the New York Red Bulls at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field. The Red Bulls won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Atlanta United FC travels to Seattle tonight to face the reigning MLS Champion Seattle Sounders, and do so without their most prodigious scorer.

Mic check: One, two. Mic check: One, two. The warm up is under way as Atlanta United FC gets set to face last year’s MLS Champion Seattle Sounders. Three games in, Atlanta has looked like a contender for most of this young season. But this is the toughest test to date. And Atlanta must take that test without it’s best star student.

Earlier this week, it was announced that United had lost top scorer Josef Martinez, who some have referred to as the “Messi of Midtown”, for 4-6 weeks. Martinez was injured playing for his national team, Venezuela. The news broke as the city of Atlanta and the team prepared to face an MLS giant Friday, March 31, 2017 at 10 PM EDT.

Naturally, there have been questions as to who might supplant, replace, and recreate the 5 goals in 3 games that Martinez has posted. To be sure, there are a few names floated as possible replacements. Julian Gressel, Kenwyne Jones, and Yamil Asad are the names most mentioned.

All three of those gentlemen bring something to the field, but United will definitely miss Martinez in play. Especially, against a team as sound as the Sounders.

More from ATL All Day

One of the interesting side stories of this match is the resuming of play after the international break (this is for national teams competing for a World Cup spot, mostly). There are questions for both teams as to who might play and start.

Seattle boasts national/international players (Dempsey, Torres, Jones) who have just completed 2 hard fought matches. Their absence, or reduced minutes, would be felt, no doubt. For United, it is no guarantee that usual contributors Miguel Almirón, Kenwyne Jones, or Carlos Carmona will be available after their recent play for national teams, respectively.

One thing that is known, however, is that this match will feature two teams who are close in nature and personality. Because of the fan reaction and support so far this year, Atlanta has been referred to as the “Seattle of the South”.

This comparison also alludes to play. As noted here previously, it is rare that an expansion team plays well, and is competitive. Seattle has set the bar for MLS play, recently, and Atlanta is doing their best to match them, and mark them, fairly early.

Regardless of who is in and who is out, this match tonight should be a good one. Both teams feature solid midfield play and defenders who defend with physicality, discipline, and earnest. The forwards fly and score if given the slightest crease.

Aside from the personnel intrigue, we are about to get a real sense of where this Atlanta United team stands. It is a young season still, but this is a temperature check that can’t be ignored. The “Seattle of the South” is about to go play the real thing.

Next: Five Atlanta Braves Pitchers Who Can Be a Difference Maker

If the expansion team wins, look for dreams and expectations for the inaugural year in Atlanta to expand greatly.

Home/ATL News