By: Craig Shuman @ me on Twitter @CraigShumanMLS

This Saturday, Atlanta United FC will meet new expansion side Los Angeles FC for the first time.

Kickoff: 5 pm ET

Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA

TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes

Live Stream: espn.com/watch, or download the WatchESPN app

Listen: 92.9 The Game or La Mejor 1600 AM

Tickets: atlutd.com/tickets/single

Weather: High 60, low 36. Rain expected in the morning, clearing by 2pm

With rain in the forecast for the morning of match day, the roof should be closed as these two clubs meet for the first time. Atlanta United Football Club (3-1-0 W-L-D), which began play just last season, will look to extend their recent streak of wins to four over new expansion team Los Angeles Football Club (2-1-0). This match should be a fun one, with both clubs built with similar visions: an attacking style of play with young Designated Players. So, let’s meet the visitors:

Los Angeles Football Club are managed by Bob Bradley, who is the former manager of the US men’s national team, Egypt’s men’s national team, Le Havre in Ligue 2 (France), and other teams. At LAFC, Bob Bradley has built a dynamic, attacking, dangerous football team that seems to share its vision and mission statement with Atlanta United; young, talented Designated Players. LA has three of them: Carlos Vela, Diego Rossi, Andre Horta. In only three games, Vela and Rossi have scored three times each, and they have recorded two assists each as well. Bob Bradley prefers to have his team control possession and pin their opponents back, forcing them to defend. Here is the projected formation and Starting XI (Starting Eleven) for Saturday for Hollywood FC:

LAFC are coming off a 4-3 loss this last weekend against cross-town rivals LA Galaxy in which they gave up a 3-0 lead all in the second half. Here are LAFC’s keys to the match:

Contain Atlanta’s potent attack

LAFC center backs CIman and Jakovic will need to shut down Josef Martínez from making any dangerous runs into the box. They’ll need to intercept passes and make clearances when needed. However, they are coming off a 4-3 loss in which they gave up four goals in under 45 minutes against LA Galaxy, so their confidence is shaken. They’ll need to build that back up, and keep Martínez off the score sheet. Beitashour and Mountinho will have their hands full with Villalba, Almirón, and Atlanta’s wingbacks Gressel and Garza on the wings, so this will be a difficult task for a team that has not had experience yet with defending an Atlanta-level attack.

Keep from giving the ball away in their own half

Will Ferrell FC have yet to play against a high-pressing team like Atlanta, who are willing and able to defend high and win the ball in the opposing half. Benny Feilhaber gave up possession in the second half of the match last weekend, leading to the Galaxy’s first goal, and, arguably, that was the turning point in the match.

Finish under pressure

LAFC had several chances last weekend to level the match against the Galaxy. They were behind for the first time ever after giving up a huge lead, and could not summon the confidence to bring the game back into their favor.

Now, on to the home side: Atlanta United are coming off a gritty 1-0 win away in the Arctic Circle, despite being a man down for the majority of the match. Several players are out with injuries: Barco, Escobar, Carleton, Hernandez, and Hildebrandt. In addition, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez is suspended due to him being incredibly stupid and receiving second yellow against Minnesota last week. With this in mind, here is Atlanta’s projected Starting XI:

There are a few changes in the lineup from last week. Jeff Larentowicz suffered and injury in last week’s blizzard match, but he is practicing with the first team this week, and is expected to start. Greg Garza, however, has not practiced yet this week after seemingly aggravating his recurring shoulder injury. Mikey Ambrose is expected to start in his stead, but the club is expected to make the final decision on this today. Chris McCann played excellent defense against Minnesota at the left center back position after being subbed on, so Tata should start him there. Sal Zizzo is expected to pick up his first start for the Five Stripes in the right center back position, with both Escobar and LGP out. Another option for Martino here is to start Miles Robinson, but instead one should expect Robinson to be listed as a substitute and come on for either McCann or Zizzo in the second half.

Anticipated Substitutes: Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu, Brandon Vazquez, Miles Robinson, Alec Kann, Kevin Kratz, Romario Williams, George Bello*

*I have a feeling Bello could really contribute as a wingback if, God forbid, we have an injury.

Here are Atlanta United’s keys to the match:

Score early and often

As mentioned above, LAFC’s back four did not do a good job against the Galaxy, who were able to score four times in the second half against that porous defense. Their confidence is shaken, and an early goal could give Atlanta the control of the game.

Press high, control possession

LAFC is a team that likes to have the ball and likes to pin their opponents back in order to create chances. Atlanta can counter this by pressing high on their opponents to keep LAFC from getting comfortable on the ball in their own half. Atlanta United’s defense has to start in the attacking third. Balls won there can keep LAFC from building rhythm.

Defense, defense, defense

Atlanta cannot afford to make the same mistakes they made against Houston; LAFC will eat them alive. This team has extremely talented forwards who will pounce on the slightest mistake and make Atlanta pay dearly for them. McCann, Parkhurst, and Zizzo have to be on the tops of their game to keep Ureña, Rossi, Vela, or anyone else from scoring. Larentowicz will be playing a vital role at center defensive mid. Garza and Gressel will need to put in solid performances to help keep a clean sheet. If Ron Burgundy FC can find an opening, they will strike.

Prediction: 3-2. An absolute nail-biter, but Atlanta figure out a way to win at home in the unbeatable King Peach kit.