The Chicago Fire visit MLS expansion side Atlanta United FC at Bobby Dodd Stadium for their first meeting on Saturday.
Atlanta returns home after a 6-1 win in the expansion-side derby with Minnesota United. Chicago Fire arrives in town after opening up Toyota Park with a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake.
With both teams looking strong after notching their first wins of the season last weekend, let’s see how they stack up against each other in this week three match-up.
Atlanta’s Young Offense
Atlanta came to play in the snow of Minneapolis.
O. M. G. #UniteAndConquer pic.twitter.com/FIc2tqyHk3
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) March 12, 2017
Their newly formed offense exploded, with Jozef Martinez leading the way. Atlanta’s midfield and forwards made breaking down Minnesota’s defense look easy. They’re up for a decent test with Chicago. Dax McCarty and Juninho will be looking to lock down the midfield early.
Atlanta’s midfield should differ slightly with Carlos Carmona likely slotting back in for former Chicago Fire player Jeff Larentowicz, after serving his red card suspension.
The Atlanta back line has not been tested enough to know how they’ll respond to an in-form MLS offense. Chicago Fire isn’t that yet, but with a little early momentum, they certainly have the potential to become one.
The predicted starting lineup
Returns to the opening night starting eleven.
Watch it on fox sport 2 to LA @ATLUTD: Atlanta, the Starting XI for your first ever @MLS match#UniteAndConquer pic.twitter.com/n6nOVjX9xx
— Antonio (@EsAntoniojota) March 6, 2017
Chicago’s defense
Chicago Fire have an idea of what to expect from Atlanta’s offense. How the Fire’s back line will actually respond to it is another question.
This should be the best attack the Fire’s defense has been exposed to in this young season. Johan Kappelhof has started out the season in dominant fashion. Jaoa Meira hasn’t been too shabby, either.
Kapp (28) & @joaomeira06 (20) rank 1 & 2 overall individually, @mikeymomoney2 (16) & @BrandonVincent (14) both in top 10. Dikembe. #cf97 pic.twitter.com/Qjs4ZbxRok
— Ted Bryant (@Ted_Bryant) March 13, 2017
Brandon Vincent seems to have matured into a solid left back. He put in a fantastic shift last match. And who could forget Michael Harrington? He plays right back for the Fire, but enough about defense.
Atlanta will need to worry about stopping Nemanja Nikolic from showing 50,000+ that he is a finishing guru, instead. I hear that he enjoys a large audience.
The predicted starting lineup
Should look the same from their week two victory.
Here we go. Today's #cf97 starting XI pres. by @UIHealth. Pregame coverage kicks off at 12:30 pm CT on @CSNChicago!#HeartThisClub #CHIvRSL pic.twitter.com/HOEVjMq8q8
— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) March 11, 2017
Next: Chicago Fire seek Bastian Schweinsteiger
Prediction
I expect Atlanta United FC to provide Chicago Fire with a great contest. End to end type of action with plenty of counterattacks and goals galore.
If the Fire are able to walk away with a point, it will be a successful trip for them. Atlanta undoubtedly wants to win at home, but drawing with this new look Fire squad would certainly be acceptable.
Kickoff is at 4 EST.
How To Watch
Atlanta & Chicago TV: UniMas (Spanish), Facebook Live (English), MLS Live
Atlanta Radio: 92.9 The Game (English), 1130, 1460, or 1600 AM, Station TBD (Spanish) / Chicago Radio: Univision América 1200 (WRTO)