Parkhurst was starting in place of the injured Miles Robinson, who is recovering from a hamstring strain. It seems likely that those two players will miss Thursday’s second-round game, leaving de Boer with just three healthy true centerbacks. The team typically plays a three-man backline.

“We have to think about how we are going to solve this,” de Boer said.

Atlanta United will player either the New York Red Bulls or Philadelphia on Thursday night in the next round at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

De Boer said he typically decides the formation for the next game 3-4 days ahead of time after scouting the opponent and conversing with his players to find out what they are comfortable with. Atlanta United started with three centerbacks against New England before switching to a four-man back line around the 65th minute.

“It’s good that a team can play different kind of systems because it gives the opponent something to think about, to worry about,” de Boer said.

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