Atlanta United Vs New York Red Bulls: 5 key players to watch – Injury issues

ATLANTA, GA NOVEMBER 11: Atlanta United fans wave flags during the MLS Eastern Conference semifinal match between Atlanta United and NYCFC on November 11th, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta United FC defeated New York City FC by a score of 3 to 1 to advance in the playoffs. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA NOVEMBER 11: Atlanta United fans wave flags during the MLS Eastern Conference semifinal match between Atlanta United and NYCFC on November 11th, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta United FC defeated New York City FC by a score of 3 to 1 to advance in the playoffs. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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BRONX, NY – NOVEMBER 04: Jeff Larentowicz #18 of Atlanta United heads the ball during the 1st half of the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinal Leg 1 match between New York City FC and Atlanta FC at Yankee Stadium on November 04, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York. Atlanta United won the match with a score of 1 to 0. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images)
BRONX, NY – NOVEMBER 04: Jeff Larentowicz #18 of Atlanta United heads the ball during the 1st half of the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinal Leg 1 match between New York City FC and Atlanta FC at Yankee Stadium on November 04, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York. Atlanta United won the match with a score of 1 to 0. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images) /

4. Jeff Larentowicz

As stated earlier, Atlanta has loads of talent on the roster. Some players are less talented than others or are older and less spry. But even the older players serve extremely important roles for this Atlanta United team. Jeff Larentowicz is one of those important players despite his older age.

Larentowicz has seen a change in his career since joining Atlanta, no thanks to Martino and the style of play he utilizes. In fact, Larentowicz is so important that he’s appeared in all but two of the club’s 71 matches thus far. He missed the return leg of the semifinal with a muscle injury and did not even appear in the game day eighteen.

Luckily Larentowicz’s absence was not detrimental to the team as they won 3-1 without him. However, Red Bulls are an entirely different animal. Martino has shown how much he values Larentowicz and if Larry is healthy, Martino will play him.

There have not been many updates on Larentowicz’s health. If he is fit, expect to see him starting this Sunday. At the least, there is a solid chance he will make the game day eighteen and put in some time during the match at some point. If not, he will be a player sorely missed.