By: Alex Jenkins (@acjenkins17, @1788sports)

Photo: https://www.atlutd.com/kit

With the beginning of Atlanta United’s season a little less than a month away, I thought I would try to project who would make up United’s starting eleven and seven bench spots. Although this can change on a game-by-game basis, here’s my best guess.

Starting 11

GK- Brad Guzan

LB- Greg Garza

LCB- Leandro González Pírez

RCB- Michael Parkhurst

RB- Franco Escobar

CDM- Jeff Larentowicz

CDM- Darlington Nagbe

CAM- Miguel Almirón

LAM/LW- Ezequiel Barco

RAM/RW- Héctor Villalba

ST- Josef Martínez

Photo courtesy of Atlanta United

I do not think I need to go into a lot of detail on why I choose these players as the starting eleven. I feel like most were locks in the starting lineup from last year, or once Atlanta acquired them in the offseason, everyone basically penciled them into a starting spot. The only starter at this point I could possibly see moving to the bench would be Jeff Larentowicz and I think for him not to start United would have to bring in a solid CDM to overtake his position. Otherwise, if the team does not make any additional signings and he stays healthy, he is going to be starting a majority of the games this year. So this would be my projected starting lineup versus the Houston Dynamo on March 3rd.

Bench

Alec Kann

Julian Gressel

Kevin Kratz

Chris McCann

Brandon Vasquez

Romario Williams

Mikey Ambrose

I feel like Kann, Gressel, Kratz, and McCann are guaranteed locks on the bench for every game, barring injury or they are mixed into the starting eleven from time to time. Kann, was the starting goalie for most of last year, until Guzan eventually transferred to United. I do not see new goalie Mitch Hildebrandt overtaking Kann as the back up. Gressel, provides so much versatility off the bench and that is exactly what you want from a reserve player in my opinion. Last year he played CAM, CDM, both wing positions, and this year he stated publicly that he was working on his defensive game in case he was required to play at right back. Kevin Kratz showed his value last year by providing quality minutes off the bench and showcasing his free kick abilities. I believe that trend will continue this year. He is predominantly a midfielder but I could see him going out on the wing if needed. The last lock, in my opinion, to the seven reserve spots is Chris McCann. Although, he played poorly in the preseason match versus Nashville, he still is a decent player. Like Gressel, McCann can play in the midfield but last year he showed the ability to play left back while Greg Garza went down with an injury. Was he dominant at left back? No, but he did a solid job both defending and providing an attacking presence. Also, his salary is too expensive for him not to see a spot on the bench game after game in my opinion.

Photo courtesy of Atlanta United

The next two players, Brandon Vasquez and Romario Williams, will often find a bench spot in most games but I could potentially see them being left off as well. Whether it is Vasquez, Williams, or both, United will need someone coming of the bench for a possible replacement of Martínez or either Villalba/Barco. Vasquez showed that he can play out wide in the preseason match versus Nashville, where he scored a goal and then absolutely wrecked a Nashville defender, leading to the third United goal. The thing with Vasquez is that he is only 19. So the coaching staff will need to think about whether it is more beneficial for him to get minutes here and there off the bench, or potentially play with ATLUTD2 in the USL so he sees consistent playing time. More minutes could lead to the further development of his game and I could see it being beneficial. Although, in the limited minutes he got with the first team last year he proved he belonged by scoring twice and providing an assist, as well as bringing some physicality and size to an already undersized team. Romario Williams on the other hand, has dominated the USL for the past couple of years, so I am not sure how much he would benefit from playing in the USL again. I feel like he could come off the bench and provide a role similar to that of Jacob Peterson from last year. Especially with the news of Williams acquiring his green card, I feel like it will be hard to keep him away from one of the seven bench spots. So whether or not Vasquez and Williams will be on the bench is to be decided. I could see it going either way and having both on the bench, or one on the bench versus one down with ATLUTD2 in the USL.

The last bench spot was a bit difficult to pick but I feel like it needed to be a true defensive player because no one else on the bench is a defender by trade. I slotted Mikey Ambrose as the final bench spot. He plays left back and I feel like he is the backup for now over new signing José Hernández. Not only is he solid defensively but he can provide on the offensive end as well, which he showed in college at the University of Maryland producing 1 goal and 15 assists in three seasons. I could see him being subbed on for Garza or even at the left wing position if United wanted to go more defensive and have him pinch inside and bunker down to close out a game.

Photo courtesy of Atlanta United

I did not include a true CB, like Miles Robinson, in the “usual” seven bench spots because I feel like if we do need to replace LGP or Parkhurst mid-game, Jeff Larentowicz can easily slide back into one of their spots and Gressel, Kratz, or McCann can slide into the midfield where Larentowicz was. New signing Sal Zizzo was also left off because I think he needs to get more acclimated with his teammates before he could potentially see game-time minutes. He looked a little of out sync on Sunday but he should get better with time and become a solid backup defender. Zizzo does provide versatility though and can play multiple positions across the back line or even out wide on the wing, which is where he played during his college days at UCLA. In regards to Andrew Carleton and Chris Goslin, I think it is best if both of them get continuous playing time with ATLUTD2. I definitely think Carleton and Goslin will see some playing time in the MLS this season but they do not warrant taking up two of the seven reserve spots every game. These two players have bright futures and I think it is best if they practice with the first team, play significant minutes in the USL, and come up from time to time to get some first team minutes.

Do you agree with my predicted starting eleven and seven bench spots? If not, share with us what you think the starting eleven and bench spots will look like!