Atlanta United vs. FC Dallas | 2020 MLS Match Preview

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 13
Atlanta United vs. FC Dallas
Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta
September 23 – 7:00 PM ET

STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US

LOCAL TV: FOX Sports South, FOX Sports Southwest Plus

Atlanta United are looking to snap a six-match winless streak after a third consecutive defeat when they host surging FC Dallas Wednesday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Atlanta (3W-7L-2D) are coming off a second 2-1 defeat to Inter Miami in the last three games, while FC Dallas (5W-2L-4D) knocked off Sporting Kansas City, 3-2, for their third straight victory. 

The teams have split a pair of matches in Atlanta, with FC Dallas winning 2-1 last April on goals by Jesus Ferreira and Bryan Acosta, while Josef Martinez buried a late penalty kick for the Five Stripes.

Atlanta United

The worst run of results in Atlanta's short history continued Saturday night with another 2-1 loss to expansion side Inter Miami. It's now six games without a win, with four losses during that stretch. Good news came in the form of the finally-announced signing of midfielder Marcelino Moreno from Lanus in Argentina's Superliga for an undisclosed transfer fee. The 25-year-old Designated Player fills Pity Martinez void in the roster. 

“We’re pleased to bring in a player of Marcelino’s caliber and look forward to welcoming him to the club,” Atlanta United vice president and technical director Carlos Bocanegra said in a statement. “He is a dynamic attacking midfielder who has proven to be a consistent performer in the Argentine Superliga. He has fantastic balance and change of direction ability and is a player who can create on his own or bring others into the game.”

• Updated team roster
• Injury Report:
  • OUT: Josef Martinez (F) - ACL injury
  • OUT: Jurgen Damm (M) - undisclosed injury
  • OUT: Cubo Torres (F) - knee sprain
• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty:  None

FC Dallas

FC Dallas are rolling. Following a decisive midweek win over the Colorado Rapids, Luchi Gonzalez's squad defeated Sporting Kansas City, 3-2, Saturday. Franco Jara struck for a brace and has five of his team's nine goals during its current three-game winning streak. However, after the win, FC Dallas were harshly criticized by SKC for what they deemed to be time-wasting "antics" they called a "disrespectful." On Tuesday, Gonzalez responded. 

"This is one coach’s opinion and he has the right to his opinion,” Gonzalez said in Spanish. “I know my group. I know my team and they play with a lot of integrity. If you look at cards, we’re one of the teams with the fewest cards in the whole league. OK? I always show respect to the players and coaches. At the end of the game if there’s perhaps problems from an ethical standpoint, there are consequences. Bryan Acosta had two yellows and he got a red card and we’re playing with a man down. So there are consequences. Instead of having five additional minutes like the referee said, he added eight minutes. There are consequences."

• Updated team roster
• Injury Report:
  • OUT: Paxton Pomykal (M) - hip injury
  • OUT: Kyle Zobeck (GK) - undisclosed injury
• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: Thiago Santos (M), Bryan Acosta (M)
• International duty: None

Series Matchup at Atlanta United

• Atlanta United: 1 win, 4 goals
• FC Dallas: 1 win, 2 goals
• 0 draws

Officials

• Referee: Timothy Ford
• Assistant Referees: Corey Rockwell, Benjamin Hall-Volpenhein
• 4th Official: Matthew Thompson
• VAR: Jorge Gonzalez