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Matchday Preview: Atlanta United 2 vs. Indy Eleven

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 08/07/21, 8:39AM EDT

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Indy looks to build on midweek victory as it visits Atlanta for key Central Division playoff race contest


Atlanta United 2 and Indy Eleven played to a 1-1 draw in their first meeting of the season and will square off again on Sunday night in another key game in the Central Division's playoff race. | Photo courtesy Atlanta United 2

KENNESAW, Ga. – Atlanta United 2 and Indy Eleven will meet for the second time this season on Sunday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium with the two teams entering separated by just a point either side of the playoff line in the USL Championship’s Central Division going into the weekend’s action. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

@atlutd2 (4-7-6, 18pts) is looking to rebound from a Wednesday night defeat against Birmingham Legion FC that saw Phillip Goodrum open the scoring at BBVA Field before a pair of goals early in the second half for the hosts swung the game Birmingham’s way. Atlanta had taken four points from its prior two outings to move back into what has become a highly competitive race for the playoffs as the season reaches its midway point. A key to that has been goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo, who has been among the leading goalkeepers in the Championship according to his underlying numbers. The Argentine youth international has posted a -6.55 G-minus-xG rate this season, good for second in the Championship, and ranks 11th with 38 saves in 10 appearances for a 71.7% save percentage that has helped Atlanta stay in games throughout the season.

@IndyEleven (5-6-4, 19pts) arrives having broken a five-game winless streak on Wednesday night in a 2-0 victory against FC Tulsa at ONEOK Field. Gordon Wild and Peter-Lee Vassell each scored in the final 11 minutes after the visitors had ridden their good fortune earlier in the game as Tulsa twice hit the woodwork and goalkeeper Eric Dick had a five-save shutout to keep the hosts at bay. Indy’s win was its fourth road win of the season, and the side has performed much more consistently on the road this season with only one defeat in seven games. Forward Jordan Hamilton has led the way in that success with three goals of his team-high four this season coming on the road, while Manuel Arteaga has notched two goals and one assist on the club’s travels. Indy moved into fourth place to start the weekend’s action on Wednesday night, and would assure itself of a top-four position at the end of Week 16 if it can improve on its last visit to Fifth Third Bank Stadium, when Hamilton opened the scoring before Atlanta’s Connor Stanley equalized to leave the teams to share the points in a 1-1 draw.

FiveThirtyEight.com Match Predictor: Atlanta United 2 30%, Indy Eleven 44%, Draw 27%

Most Recent Lineups

Atlanta United 2 (4-3-3): Rocco Rios Novo; Aiden McFadden, Bryce Washington, Josh Bauer, Caleb Wiley; Darwin Matheus, Chris Allan, Robbie Mertz; Tyler Wolff, Phillip Goodrum, Connor Stanley

Indy Eleven (4-3-1-2): Eric Dick; Nick Moon, Karl Ouimette, Jared Timmer, Patrick Seagrist; Aboubacar Sissoko, Nicky Law, Ayoze; Gordon Wild; Jordan Hamilton, Manuel Arteaga

Discipline

Atlanta United 2 – None

Indy Eleven – None

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