Atlanta United will look to pick up three more points when they take on DC United at Audi Field on September 20, coming in fresh off a 5-2 victory over the Lionel Messi-less Inter Miami.
The two Eastern Conference sides have met 15 times in the past, with Atlanta coming out on top nine times to DC’s six. In fact, the Five Stripes have won the last five meetings with the games typically being close contests. In those five straight wins, Atlanta has scored 12 goals and conceded just six.
The Black-and-Red are coming off a 0-0 draw at Charlotte FC and are on a three game unbeaten run (two draws, one win), and sit in ninth place in the East with 35 points from 29 games played.
The 2018 MLS Cup champions are on a two game unbeaten streak and have won their last three out of five games. Head coach Gonzalo Pineda will be looking to keep the momentum going after his team’s impressive showing vs Miami, who were without star Lionel Messi.
DC United vs Atlanta United H2H record
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Atlanta came away unscathed in their win over Miami, with several key players putting on stellar showings. Giorgos Giakoumakis scored his 14th goal of the season, which is joint-most in MLS, while Thiago Almada recorded his 15th assist in 2023 – the most ever in a single season for Atlanta.
Three of Atlanta’s summer signings led the way against Miami, with Xande Silva, Tristan Muyumba and Saba Lobjanidze all having an impact for the Five Stripes going forward. Full-backs Brooks Lennon and Caleb Wiley also chimed in as their impressive seasons continue.
The only player that is expected to be unavailable for Pineda is veteran midfielder Osvaldo ‘Ozzie’ Alonso, who is still recovering from a leg injury.
It was revealed on Monday that first-choice goalkeeper Tyler Miller will miss the rest of the 2023 season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. In his absence, head coach Wayne Rooney is expected to call on former Toronto FC goalkeeper Alexander Bono to play in between the sticks.
Atlanta United predicted lineup vs DC United ( 4-2-3-1 ): Guzan, Lennon, Robinson, Abram, Wiley; Muyumba, Rossetto; Lobjanidze, Almada, Silva; Giakoumakis.
Atlanta will more than likely be full of confidence heading into this one, but the same can be said about DC, who are just 10 points off the Five Stripes in the Eastern Conference standings.
With Christian Benteke up front, the Black-and-Red will look to feed the former Crystal Palace forward with ample chances as Atlanta’s defense has been inconsistent all season. But without Miller in goal for DC, Atlanta may think they have an opportunity to pick up three points on the road in the nation’s capital.
Prediction: DC United 1-2 Atlanta United
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