Cedric Hountondji has been ruled out of NYCFC’s top of the East clash with Atlanta United FC on Saturday at Yankee Stadium after picking up a hamstring injury in the early stages of the U.S. Open Cup loss at Red Bull Arena.
It was also announced earlier this week that midfielder Yangel Herrera will miss the remainder of the 2018 season after undergoing a successful arthroscopic ankle procedure from which he is expected to make a full recovery.
Outside of the injuries, NYCFC continue to be without Costa Rican duo Ronald Matarrita and Rodney Wallace who are in Europe preparing for their final World Cup tune up vs. Belgium on Monday.
Elsewhere, Patrick Vieira will have a healthy squad to choose from in the second round of NYC v. ATL in 2018.
INJURY REPORT
NYCFC
- OUT: D - Cedric Hountondji (Hamstring)
- OUT: M - Yangel Herrera (Ankle)
ATLANTA UNITED FC
- OUT: D - Greg Garza (shoulder surgery 5/29, out 4-6 months) - READ
- OUT: D - Chris McCann (left lower extremity injury)
- QUESTIONABLE: F - Hector Villalba (right knee injury)
KEY STATS
- Through three matches between the two clubs, the series is dead even. Both Atlanta and New York City have won one and drawn one against one another while scoring six goals. NYCFC won the lone match in Yankee Stadium 3-1 in May 2017.
- The Cityzens have set a franchise record by winning six straight league home matches, outscoring opponents 18-2 in that time. They have allowed multiple goals just once over their last 11 league home games.
- Since opening the 2018 campaign with a 4-0 loss at Houston, Atlanta United is 4W-1D on the road, having allowed just three goals.
- New York City FC has conceded nine goals in the opening 30 minutes of matches. In the remaining 60 minutes of matches, they have allowed 10 goals.
- 19 of Atlanta’s 30 goals this season have come in the second half of matches., the most of any MLS club. That is as much as, or more than 10 teams have scored total in 2018.
- Since joining MLS, Atlanta has averaged 1.3 goals per game on the road, as compared to 2.8 per game at home.
- Sean Johnson has saved just 60.9% of shots since May 1st, the fifth-lowest percentage of any keeper with multiple appearances. He had saved 77.3% of shots in March and April, the fifth best of any keeper with multiple appearances.
- Josef MartÃnez has scored 31 goals since joining MLS prior to last season. Only two other players have scored more than 28 goals in league play in that time.
- Alexander Ring has completed 416 passes to Alexander Callens, the third most between two outfield players since the start of last season.
