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Atlanta United Vs Colorado Rapids: 5 key players to watch – Clean-sheet hunting

By Josh Bouland

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 02: Josef Martinez #7 of Atlanta United warms up with tattoos on his neck and mouthpiece in his mouth during the Major League Soccer match between DC United and Atlanta United at Audi Field on September 02, 2018 in Washington, District of Columbia. DC United won the match with a score of 3 to 1. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 02: Josef Martinez #7 of Atlanta United warms up with tattoos on his neck and mouthpiece in his mouth during the Major League Soccer match between DC United and Atlanta United at Audi Field on September 02, 2018 in Washington, District of Columbia. DC United won the match with a score of 3 to 1. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images) /
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Atlanta United, Josef Martinez
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 02: Josef Martinez #7 of Atlanta United warms up with tattoos on his neck and mouthpiece in his mouth during the Major League Soccer match between DC United and Atlanta United at Audi Field on September 02, 2018 in Washington, District of Columbia. DC United won the match with a score of 3 to 1. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images) /

Atlanta United travel to Colorado this weekend to take on the second to last place Rapids. See which five players are key to watch for.

Atlanta United return to action this weekend after a weekend off from international duty, while the Colorado Rapids look to rebound from a 2-0 road loss to Portland. Atlanta get Romario Williams and Josef Martinez back from international duty and the Rapids will have Kellyn Acosta back as well.

Despite not playing over the weekend, Atlanta clinched a playoff spot, joining the New York Red Bulls as the first teams to clinch this season. Atlanta will try to grab three road points and overtake New York for the lead in the Supporters’ Shield standings. Meanwhile, Colorado will be hoping to salvage as many points as possible after another disappointing year.

light. Related Story. Atlanta United clinches playoff birth; now what?

Here are five players to watch during this weekend’s match.

ATLANTA, GA AUGUST 04: Atlanta’s Josef Martinez (7) waits out an injury timeout 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)
ATLANTA, GA AUGUST 04: Atlanta’s Josef Martinez (7) waits out an injury timeout 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) /

5. Josef Martinez

Josef Martinez played with Venezuela over the international break and fortunately returned to Atlanta with no injuries this time around. But despite not picking up an injury, he still logged 68 minutes in Venezuela’s first friendly. It will be interesting to see if those minutes and some light travel (to Miami, where the friendly took place) affect Martinez’s performance this weekend.

Surprisingly, Martinez was kept off the score sheet by D.C. United in Atlanta’s last match. That snapped Martinez’s nine-game streak of games with at least one goal. Since Martinez was unable to score in the last game, look for him to return with a vengeance. He is goal thirsty and is visibly upset whenever he doesn’t score. Colorado will have to plan for an angry and goal-hungry Martinez.

Martinez will see playing time, of course, but knowing Tata Martino and how he handles his players and their match fitness, there is a chance Martinez will start on the bench for this one after playing with Venezuela. However, the usual replacement, Romario Williams, is also coming back from international duty. This provides an interesting scenario for Martino. He will have to decide how he wants to handle these players. My guess is Martinez will start, but only put in about 60 minutes before subbing out for Williams.

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