Eastern Conference royalties collide in Atlanta on Sunday, as Atlanta United hosts New York City FC.
It's the first time the two sides have met since last season's MLS Cup Playoffs matchup and comes with the two teams second and third in the Eastern Conference standings.
Atlanta United sits on 39 points, with NYCFC a point behind but with two games in hand. Statistics suggest there should be very little between the two teams, who have conceded the same amount of goals—29—and have similarly prolific attacks—Atlanta has scored 41 goals to NYCFC's 40.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of Sunday.
When and where is the game?
Atlanta United takes on New York City FC at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, with kickoff scheduled for 3:55 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 11.
TV coverage
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN with English commentary and on ESPN Deportes with Spanish commentary.
Live stream
Live stream will be available via ESPN digital platforms as well as via WatchESPN.
Recent form
Atlanta United has sorely lacked consistency this season, as highlighted by the fact it has won three of the last five games, losing one and drawing one.
Despite that, however, the 3-0 win over Los Angeles Galaxy last weekend was enough to propel the defending champions into second place in the Eastern Conference, three points behind the Philadelphia Union with a game in hand.
Jose Martinez was on target against the Galaxy, taking his tally for the season to 18 goals and remains United's main attacking outlet.
A long weather delay and a stubborn Houston couldn't stop #NYCFC...
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) August 9, 2019
🎥 MATCH HIGHLIGHTS ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/xP9FoGsGoL
New York City FC has also struggled for consistency, winning three of the last six games and losing the other three. On Thursday night, Valentin Castellanos came off the bench to score a late brace, including a stoppage time winner, as NYCFC came from behind to beat Houston Dynamo 3-2.
The result moved NYCFC in third place in the Eastern Conference, a point behind Atlanta but with two games in hand.
Team news
Atlanta United will be without midfielder Kevin Kratz who has a calf injury, while defender Brek Shea is out for the season after suffering a torn ACL last month. Forwards Brandon Vazquez and Josef Martinez are dealing with adductor injuries and will be assessed before the game.
NYCFC will be without defenders Joe Scally and Ben Sweat because of a hip and back injury respectively, while midfielder Ismael Tajouri-Shradi is unavailable because of an ankle issue.
Series record
Atlanta won the last two meetings between the sides, winning 1-0 away and 3-1 at home in the space of a week in November. NYCFC, meanwhile, hasn't beaten the defending champions in the last five occasions.
Odds
According to Oddschecker, Atlanta United is 3/4 favorite (in moneyline terms), while the draw is at 3/1 and NYCFC is a 69/20 outsider.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Dan Cancian is currently a reporter for Newsweek based in London, England. Prior to joining Newsweek in January 2018, he was a news and business reporter at International Business Times UK. Dan has also written for The Guardian and The Observer.
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