CAMPEONES CUP PREVIEW: ATLANTA UNITED VS. CLUB AMÉRICA

Campeones29

2019 CAMPEONES CUP

Atlanta United vs. Club América

Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta

August 14 — 8:00 PM ET

TV: ESPN2, Univision, TUDN, TSN 1/4

For the second consecutive year, the best in MLS squares off against the best in Liga MX when Atlanta United host Club América in the Campeones Cup Wednesday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

After a slow start under new coach Frank de Boer, Atlanta are rounding into form and playing some of their best soccer heading into this clash. The defending MLS Cup champions, who also qualified for their first U.S. Open Cup final last week, have won four of their last five matches to move up to second place in the Eastern Conference standings, three points behind the Philadelphia Union with a game in hand. On Sunday, the Five Stripes knocked off New York City FC 2-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with star striker Josef Martinez scoring a brace.

Martinez shook off an adductor injury to set a new MLS record with goals in 10 consecutive games, scoring in each half, and he now has 20 goals on the season, three behind Golden Boot leader Carlos Vela.

It’s been an outstanding start of the season for Club América. After beating Tigres UANL to capture the ‘Campeon de Campeones’ title, they currently sit in third place in Liga MX with an unbeaten run after four matches that has seen them beat powerful foes such as Monterrey and Tijuana. In the midst of league action, they also knocked out Houston Dynamo from Leagues Cup to advance to that event's semifinal stage.

Las Aguilas are coming off a 1-0 win over Toluca with Renato Ibarra scoring the lone goal in the 63rd minute Sunday.

ATLANTA UNITED

Injury Report:

OUT: Mikey Ambrose (D) - left hamstring injury

OUT: Brek Shea (D) - knee injury

OUT: Brandon Vazquez (F) - left hip injury

CLUB AMÉRICA

Injury Report:

OUT: Nicolás Castillo (F) - knee surgery

QUESTIONABLE: Emanuel Aguilera (D) - muscular injury