This Sunday night at least one of the two new Major League Soccer expansion teams will certainly pick up its first point, as Minnesota United welcomes Atlanta United in teams' first ever meeting in 2017, with both teams hoping to rebound back from their disappointing opening losses. The encounter will also mark Minnesota United's first home game in Major League Soccer, with all the ecstasy and pageantry that comes with such an event. Both Atlanta United and Minnesota United will now look to put their first game loss behind them as they get set to test their might at the TCF Bank Stadium.
Minnesota United
Last Friday's massive 5-1 demolition to Portland Timbers was a sort of embarrassment for team's head coach Adrian Heath. Although 33 matches are remaining to go on the slate, as Minnesota United can easily obliterate the bad taste of their first game spanking if they put up a well solid and vigorous performance against Atlanta United on Sunday night. - This task will be made easier by the fact that a proficient defensive assistant is on the way in the person of newcomer Jerome Thiessen. Minnesota United's coach Heath earlier this week confirmed that the Swiss-born defender has arrived with the team and is set to feature for the team in Sunday's match.
Atlanta United
Atlanta United chief coach Gerardo Martino is certain he will have to bring in a different starting lineup from his opening weekend game, owing to the suspension of midfielder Carmona for a late red card booking against the New York Red Bulls.
Fortunately for Gerardo 'Tata' Martino the center midfield is one critical area of the pitch where Atlanta United do have many of depths - as Chris McCann, Kevin Kratz and Jeff Larentowicz could all fit in for Carlos Carmona together with new-boy Julian Gressel, who was a surprise starter in last Sunday's game. This time we're not likely to expect much variation in Gerardo Martino's all South-American attacking four, which spring up some thrilling moments last Sunday's opener. The chief among them was Yamil Asad as he scored the first goal in the club's history.
