FC Dallas look to return to winning ways in MLS when they welcome Atlanta United to Toyota Stadium on Saturday night.
Cows have hit a rough patch in their season, while playoff hopefuls Atlanta seek to consolidate their spot in those coveted positions in the table.
Match preview
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Dallas suffered a 2-1 loss at St. Louis City on Wednesday night to scupper any promise of a return to form after the 1-0 defeat of Austin FC on the league's resumption.
The manner of the loss was disappointing, with the Frisco outfit conceding twice in the game's final 10 minutes before scoring a consolation by Eugene Ansah in the 95th minute.
Nico Estevez may have hoped that a deep Leagues Cup run could instigate a turnaround in the league, but the cup finalists' defeat means they have been beaten in three of five MLS games.
The upshot of Dallas' drop-off in results leaves them in ninth spot in the Western Conference, although they are just two points adrift of in-form seventh-placed Minnesota United.
Despite their dip in results, there is still time to get the required points to end in the guaranteed MLS Playoff spots.
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Atlanta have no such fears as it stands, with the Eastern Conference side ranked sixth and not in immediate danger of losing their place in the top seven.
However, Gonzalo Pineda's team could drop a spot in the imminent round of games if they lose and seventh-placed Nashville beat Charlotte FC.
Be that as it may, the Five Stripes cannot fall below seventh, with CF Montreal in eighth, six points behind Pineda's side — the latter have an outstanding game.
Wednesday night's 2-1 defeat by high-flying Cincinnati United ended a two-game winning MLS run for the Atlanta-based club, who have lost three of their recent five in the competition.
Nevertheless, what the Five Stripes have done is an improvement on last year when they ended 11th in the Eastern Conference and 23rd overall.
Team News
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Tarik Scott suffered a ligament rupture in February and is still sidelined, while Jesus Ferreira is unlikely to feature due to illness.
The suspended Maarten Paes is expected to be replaced in goal by Jimmy Maurer after the former's early sending-off against St. Louis.
Machop Chol and Osvaldo Alonso are not expected to participate for Atlanta because of injury, with the latter's knee issue occurring last week.
Thiago Almada's creativity could be decisive on Saturday night — Atlanta are a different beast when the 22-year-old Argentine plays outstandingly.
Dallas possible starting lineup:
Maurer; Twumasi, Ibeagha, Tafari, Farfan; Lletget, Quignon; Kamungo, Velasco, Arriola; Jimenez
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Lennon, Robinson, Abram, Wiley; Muyumba, Rossetto; Mosquera, Almada, Silva; Giakoumakis
We say: Dallas 1-1 Atlanta United
Dallas have won three of their last four at home, but that run could end this weekend, with Atlanta eking out a point at Toyota Stadium.
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