Atlanta United Vs New York City FC: 5 key players to watch – Captain Parkhurst

ATLANTA, GA - MAY 28: NYCFC's David Villa (7) is held by Atlanta's Michael Parkhurst resulting in a yellow card during a MLS match between Atlanta United and NYCFC on May 28, 2017 at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta United defeated NYCFC 3 1. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MAY 28: NYCFC's David Villa (7) is held by Atlanta's Michael Parkhurst resulting in a yellow card during a MLS match between Atlanta United and NYCFC on May 28, 2017 at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta United defeated NYCFC 3 1. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 28: Greg Garza (4) of Atlanta United FC stops the ball during the first half of the MLS Decision Day match between Toronto FC and Atlanta United FC on October 28, 2018, at BMO Field in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photograph by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 28: Greg Garza (4) of Atlanta United FC stops the ball during the first half of the MLS Decision Day match between Toronto FC and Atlanta United FC on October 28, 2018, at BMO Field in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photograph by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Greg Garza

After over five months of recovering from shoulder surgery, Greg Garza is back. He made his return to the pitch last weekend against Toronto, putting in about 70 minutes of gameplay. With Chris McCann picking up an injury last weekend, that means Garza is expected to start this Sunday. It will be his first start since May 20.

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It was fun to see Garza back on the left touchline for Atlanta United against Toronto. His speed is certainly missed and it will be exciting to see him back with the first team after all this time. Just like Almiron, it will be interesting to see what kind of effect Garza can have on the team. In his 10 starts at the beginning of the season, the club went 6-3-1.

In Garza’s lone appearance against NYCFC this season, he put in a strong performance. He completed 27 of his 38 passes, logged two recoveries, an interception, and a clearance.

Oh and don’t forget, Garza scored against NYCFC in that very game.