MINNESOTA UNITED gameday
6 p.m. at Atlanta • Ch. 29, 1500-AM
Playoff-bound Atlanta won't rest
Preview: It's not over yet for Minnesota United. Even after losing to Houston, the Loons (9-16-5, ninth in the West) still have a slim chance of making the playoffs, as only one team has clinched a spot in their conference. In the East, five teams already have advanced to the postseason, including Atlanta United (15-8-8, third in the conference). Toronto FC has won the Supporters' Shield for the best regular-season performance.
Quotable: "Obviously, they've got a few players missing. It'd be foolish of us to say that it's the same without [Miguel] Almiron, without Josef Martinez, because it's not. But whomever they bring in, like they proved at the weekend [in a 0-0 draw at New England without a full-strength lineup], they played with an enormous amount of confidence." — Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath.
Numbers: Atlanta is on an eight-match league unbeaten streak and has not given up a goal in four consecutive matches.
Absences: GK Alec Kann (quad), M Miguel Almiron (hamstring), GK Brad Guzan (national team duty) and F Josef Martinez (national team duty) are out for Atlanta. M Bernardo Anor (leg), D Thomas de Villardi (Achilles), M Sam Cronin (concussion), M Johan Venegas (national team duty) and D Michael Boxall (national team duty) are out for Minnesota United. DefenderMarc Burch (hamstring) is questionable.
Megan Ryan
