Atlanta United Vs Columbus Crew: 5 key players to watch

ATLANTA, GA AUGUST 04: Atlanta's Josef Martinez (7) gestures to the crowd after scoring a goal during the match between Atlanta United and Toronto FC on August 4th, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta United FC and Toronto FC played to a 2 2 draw. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA AUGUST 04: Atlanta’s Miguel Almiron (10) looks on in disbelief after missing a shot during the match between Atlanta United and Toronto FC on August 4th, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta United FC and Toronto FC played to a 2 2 draw. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Miguel Almiron

If Martinez is the team’s finisher, Miguel Almiron is the team’s creator. He is one of the best attacking-midfield talents in the league, if not the best. Although Almiron is currently in somewhat of a slump, this Sunday may be the perfect opportunity to break out and lead the team to a big home win.

To clarify, Almiron is only in a finishing slump. In the last eight games, he has 12 shots on goal but only two goals to show for it. On the creative side, Almiron is doing just fine. The Paraguayan has four assists in the last eight games and is tied for third in the league with 11 on the season. If Almiron is scoring assists, the team is scoring goals, and that is always a good thing, but it would be nice for him to up his goal total also.

If Almiron finds the back of the net on Sunday, there’s a good chance Atlanta will win. In 24 games this season, Almiron has a goal in five of them. In those same five games, the Five Stripes are 5-0-0. With an Almiron goal on Sunday, there’s a solid chance at making that 6-0-0.

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