As Matchday 18 approaches, New York City FC is set to host Atlanta United on a balmy June evening at Yankee Stadium. The Thursday kickoff is an atypical occurrence for Major League Soccer, colliding with the tail end of an international break that has seen several players called up to their national teams. The uncertainty surrounding player availability adds an extra layer of intrigue to this matchup.
New York City has been hit particularly hard by international duties with seven players departing for their respective national squads. Among those absent are goalkeeper Matt Freese, who is representing the United States men’s national team, Mitja Ilenič, who is currently with Slovenia’s U-21 team, and Alonso Martínez, donning the colors of Costa Rica. In addition to these absences, other squad members such as Aiden O’Neill and Jonny Shore are deemed questionable after featuring in international matches just days before this fixture.
However, Atlanta United is not without its own set of challenges. Over ten of their players have been called up, with several key starters actively competing in international fixtures just 48 hours prior to kickoff. Playmaker Miguel Almirón, central defender Efraín Morales, striker Emmanuel Latte Lath, and midfielder Bartosz Slisz all logged significant playing time for their national teams, raising questions about their fitness for this game.
Despite these challenges, New York City FC will aim to overturn some troubling aspects of their season at home. With a strong record overall, having secured six victories in nine home matches, their performance at Yankee Stadium tells a different story. The team has struggled to establish dominance there, recording three wins and three losses, while notably failing to keep a clean sheet, conceding nine goals in six games. This contrasts sharply with their success at Citi Field, where they have allowed no goals in three matches. The data suggests that NYCFC has significant work to do in reclaiming their former strength at home.
The head-to-head record between New York City FC and Atlanta United highlights the competitive nature of these matchups. With 18 encounters thus far, the teams have each won five, while drawing eight times. Atlanta’s most recent victory came on March 29 during Matchday 6, but before that, the teams battled to four consecutive draws. New York City lost to Atlanta in their last meeting and has not tasted victory against them since October 9, 2022. In that match, New York City secured a 2-1 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, marking a significant moment in their recent history.
Another memorable clash occurred on November 21, 2021, when New York City defeated Atlanta 2-0 at Yankee Stadium in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. That victory paved the way for NYCFC’s subsequent triumph in the league, further intensifying the rivalry.
As they prepare for the upcoming match, New York City FC faces a personnel crisis. Keaton Parks and Malachi Jones will miss out due to injuries, compounding the issue with the absence of three players on international duty. Furthermore, Freese’s departure has opened the door for backup goalkeeper Tomás Romero, who last played in a league match for Toronto earlier this season. Despite a previous strong showing in a US Open Cup game against Pittsburgh, where he was the standout performer for his team, the pressure will be on him to deliver against Atlanta.
In addition, Kevin O’Toole has been cleared to rejoin the squad, providing a boost for the team. However, Tayvon Gray must tread carefully, as he is just one yellow card away from serving a suspension for accumulation, adding an extra element of caution to his play.
As recent headlines reflect the turbulent nature of player availability and fitness, the stage is set for an exhilarating encounter between New York City FC and Atlanta United. With both teams grappling with key absences, the match promises to be a test of depth and resilience as each side seeks to secure crucial points in the chase for playoff positioning.
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