
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
The home opener is finally upon us, folks. Here's how Minnesota United FC and Atlanta United FC will line up in the battle of the expansion sides.
The home opener is finally upon us, folks. Here's how Minnesota United FC and Atlanta United FC will line up in the battle of the expansion sides (left to right):
MNUFC
John Alvbage
Jerome Thiesson, Francisco Calvo, Vadim Demidov, Jermaine Taylor
Collen Warner
Johan Venegas, Rasmus Schuller, Mohammed Saeid, Kevin Molino
Christian Ramirez
Subs: Ibson, Bashkim Kadrii, Brent Kallman, Abu Danladi, Miguel Ibarra, Justin Davis, Bobby Shuttleworth
Of note, Taylor stays at right-back and Thiesson makes his debut at left-back, kicking Davis to the bench. Ramirez also did enough to earn a spot in the starting lineup, pushing Kadrii to the bench. I'd also expect to see Danladi make a late appearance for the Loons today.
ATL
Alec Kann
Greg Garza, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Michael Parkhurst, Tyrone Mears
Julian Gressel, Jeff Larentowicz
Yamil Asad, Miguel Almiron, Hector Villalba
Josef Martinez
Subs: Chris McCann, Kenwyne Jones, Kyle Reynish, Mark Bloom, Anton Walkes, Jacob Peterson, Harrison Heath
Of note, the only change in Atlanta's lineup from its first match is Larentowicz in for Carlos Carmona who is suspended for a red card. Also, Minnesota coach Adrian Heath's son, Harrison Heath, is on the bench.
Also, the current temperature about half an hour to start time is 21 degrees. And it's snowing. Get ready.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, quarterback Sam Darnold, defensive coordinator Brian Flores and fullback C.J. Ham were finalists for the NFL’s most prestigious awards, which were presented Thursday night in New Orleans.