New York City FC Head Coach Patrick Vieira has made eight changes to the team which started the US Open Cup match at Red Bulls in midweek.
For the Military Appreciation Day match vs. Atlanta, only Ben Sweat, Ebenezer Ofori and David Villa retain their places in a much-changed XI.
Sean Johnson returns to the team after sitting out in Harrison and will reach 20,000 MLS minutes in the 44th minute of the game.
It once again appears to be a three-man backline, with Alexander Callens, Alex Ring and Sebastien Ibeagha holding it down behind Ofori, Sweat, Anton Tinnerholm and Maxi Moralez.
Up top, Villa leads the line, with support on either side from Jo Inge Berget and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi.
On the bench, Vieira has firepower in the shape of Jesus Medina, Tommy McNamara and Jonathan Lewis, should he need it.
Whoever wins this one will sit at the top of the Supporters' Shield standings, for a few hours at least, with Sporting KC in action later.
Kick-off is at 12.30pm and you can watch the game on YES Network, or listen in English or Spanish at NYCFC.com/Radio.
NYCFC XI: Johnson, Callens, Ring, Ibeagha, Sweat, Tinnerholm, Ofori, Tajouri-Shradi, Moralez, Berget, Villa (C)
SUBS: Stuver, Chanot, Abdul-Salaam, Awuah, McNamara, Lewis, Medina
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 Martínez 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.
