Soccer <\/p>\n
While the March international window is upon us, there will be no shortage of firepower coming to an MLS stadium near you. You can see the full call-up list here<\/a>.<\/p>\n This weekend, we’ve got teams looking to separate themselves from the pack and others hoping to keep pace. Let’s dive into three of the most scintillating showdowns.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n These Eastern Conference preseason favorites are both chasing a victory after a sluggish start. FC Cincinnati<\/a> and Atlanta United<\/a> entered with trophy expectations and spent big in the winter transfer market, but there are growing pains as new faces get settled.<\/p>\n Additionally, both teams are missing one of their marquee stars due to international duty: Cincy striker K\u00e9vin Denkey<\/a> (Togo) and Atlanta midfielder Miguel Almir\u00f3n<\/a> (Paraguay) have World Cup qualifiers on the docket.<\/p>\n Don’t fret, though. We’ve still got Evander<\/a> vs. Emmanuel Latte Lath<\/a> to look forward to.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Evander has contributed 3g\/2a in eight matches for Cincy, taking on No. 10 duties as their Luciano Acosta<\/a> replacement. The MVP-caliber playmaker’s influence is clear to see as he adjusts to his new digs after an MLS-record trade with the Portland Timbers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Latte Lath is exactly what Five Stripe fans were clamoring for: a pacey and intuitive No. 9. The MLS-record incoming transfer (reported $22 million) has already scored three times, even as Atlanta’s remade attack looks to find their footing. We know the Ivorian international will be impactful, but what about Saba Lobjanidze<\/a> and Alexey Miranchuk<\/a>?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Even with key players missing in one capacity or another, Columbus<\/a> remain near the top of the Eastern Conference and are undefeated (2W-0L-2D).<\/p>\n That gets challenged further this weekend, as goalkeeper Patrick Schulte<\/a> and the wingback pairing of Max Arfsten<\/a> and Mo Farsi<\/a> are away on international duty. Center back Malte Amundsen<\/a> picked up a red card last weekend, too.<\/p>\n Can defenders Andr\u00e9s Herrera<\/a> and DeJuan Jones<\/a> seize their opportunity? Will Jacen Russell-Rowe<\/a>, tasked with the near-impossible assignment of replacing Cucho Hern\u00e1ndez, keep producing? What about Diego Rossi<\/a>, the last remaining member of the big three that featured Cucho and Christian Ram\u00edrez<\/a>?<\/p>\n Meanwhile, New York City FC<\/a> have momentum from consecutive 2-1 home wins over Orlando City SC<\/a> and the New England Revolution<\/a>. Now, it’s back on the road to one of the rowdier environments in the league in Lower.com Field.<\/p>\n With Costa Rican striker Alonso Mart\u00ednez<\/a> away on international duty, expect Juli\u00e1n Fern\u00e1ndez<\/a>, who scored his first goal of the season last weekend, as well as Hannes Wolf<\/a>, to be NYCFC’s main threats. Matt Freese<\/a> remains among the better goalkeepers in MLS, too.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Austin FC<\/a> got the big result they were looking for last weekend, shutting down LAFC<\/a> en route to a 1-0 away win<\/a>. Their defense lived up to the billing yet again, recording their second clean sheet of the season.<\/p>\n But Verde & Black fans are still waiting to see their attack enter full stride. The DP attacking trio of Osman Bukari<\/a>, Myrto Uzuni<\/a> and Brandon Vazquez<\/a> have only played 160 minutes together so far, and Uzuni will be unavailable this weekend due to international duty with Albania.<\/p>\n Uzuni’s absence provides a golden opportunity for Vazquez to step into the limelight. Though he’s yet to show his full potential with Austin, the USMNT striker can score in bunches.<\/p>\n Opposite them is San Diego FC<\/a>, who remain undefeated in their inaugural MLS campaign (2W-0L-2D). The expansion side have delivered some memorable moments through four matchdays, and Anders Dreyer<\/a> has been the focal point of SDFC’s hot start with three goals in four matches. Their defense is quietly effective as well, conceding only twice so far.<\/p>\n Expect San Diego’s depth to be tested in this match. Mexican star Chucky Lozano<\/a> is still nursing a hamstring injury and defender Paddy McNair<\/a> and midfielder An\u00edbal Godoy<\/a> are both away with their national teams. Reports are emerging that striker Marcus Ingvartsen<\/a> is out long-term with a leg injury, too.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
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