Atlanta United returns to action Saturday against Western Conference opponent Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place for the first meeting this season between the two clubs. Atlanta enters the weekend having scored a league-high 27 goals and riding a three-game unbeaten streak. The match is scheduled to kick-off at 5:30 p.m. EST and will be televised on FOX Sports Southeast.
Atlanta is coming off a 3-1 win against Eastern Conference foe New York City FC on May 28 before 44,901 fans in a sold-out Bobby Dodd Stadium. Atlanta United netted three goals in an eight-minute sequence during the first half to secure six points from a two-game home stand and avenge the 3-1 loss on May 7 in Yankee Stadium. Miguel Almirón bagged a brace for his third multi-goal match of the season and became Atlanta’s leading scorer with seven goals. The Paraguayan has five goals in the last two matches and has been named the MLS Player of the Week each of the last two weeks. Julian Gressel assisted each of Almirón’s goals. Tito Villalba scored his fifth goal of the season which was assisted by Yamil Asad for his team-leading sixth assist.
Vancouver enters the match following a 1-0 defeat to D.C. United in BC Place on May 27. The Whitecaps produced several chances in the first half when Cristian Techera and Kendall Watson hit the crossbar in the 19th and 20th minutes. Just before the half, D.C. goalkeeper Bill Hamid denied Tim Parker’s header from a corner kick as well as Freddy Montero’s one-on-one opportunity to keep the match deadlocked. Vancouver pursued the breakthrough, but it was D.C. who found it in the 61st minute. Forward Jose Guillermo Ortiz went down in the 18-yard box and earned a penalty kick which was converted by Lamar Neagle.
MATCH INFORMATION
Saturday, June 3 | BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia | 2:30 p.m. (PST)
Atlanta United (5-4-3, 18 points) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (5-6-1, 16 points)
TV: FOX Sports Southeast
Talent: Kevin Egan (play-by-play), Dan Gargan (analyst), Brittany Arnold (sideline reporter)
English Radio: 92.9 The Game
Talent: Adam Schick (play-by-play) and Jason Longshore (commentator).
Spanish Radio: La Mejor 1600 AM
Talent: Armando Carillo (play-by-play) and Daniel Cantu (commentator).