Our prediction for this MLS match:
Atlanta United
Match Time & Date:
27/02/2022
03:00 PM
Prediction: 3-1
Sporting Kansas City
All eyes will be on Mercedes-Benz Stadium when Atlanta United and Sporting Kansas City face each other in the 2022 MLS season opener. The Five Stripes were beaten by New York City in the 2021 MLS Cup last 16, but they were impressive in pre-season. Atlanta United aim to kick off the new MLS campaign in style, and they are likely to go all guns blazing at Sporting Kansas City.
A man to watch in the home team will be Venezuela international Josef Martinez, who missed a number of MLS matches last term with injury. The Wizards, on the other hand, failed to record a win in pre-season, which is probably the main reason why we are going to put our money on the hosts. Defender Ben Sweat is injured for the visitors, while opposition defenders should have former Derby County man Johnny Russell at bay as he scored 16 goals last term.
Highlighted Player (Josef Martinez):
Josef Martinez started his senior career at Caracas, but he made no more than 36 league appearances for the Venezuelan outfit from 2010 to 2012. Martinez then moved to Europe and the 170-cm tall striker scored 4 goals in 34 appearances for the capital club. In the 2013/2014 season he played for fellow Swiss outfit Thun (on loan) and on June 7, 2014 he signed a contract with Serie A team Torino.
In December, 2017 Josef Martinez scored his first ever goal in the Italian top flight in a 2-2 draw with Palermo. The Venezuela international currently plays (on loan) for Atlanta United in MLS and he made his debut for Gerardo Martino’s team against New York Red Bulls. Speaking of his international career, Martinez made his Venezuela debut against El Salvador, coming from the bench after 76 minutes.
On November 10, 2016 he scored a hat-trick for La Vinotinto in a thrilling 5-0 victory over Bolivia and it has to be noted that he has four caps (two goals) for Venezuela U20 team.
Highlighted Team (Sporting Kansas City):
Sporting Kansas City have been competing in Major League Soccer since 1996 and they won their first MLS Cup trophy in 2000. The club faced Chicago Fire at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington in the play-offs final and Miklos Jon Molnar scored the winner for Bob Gansler’s team. 13 years later Sporting Kansas City met with Solt Lake in the title game and they were fortunate to defeat the Royals on penalties.
The Wizards welcome their rivals at Children’s Mercy Park, but they used to play some games at Blue Valley Sports Complex, Julian Field, Hermann Stadium and Durwood Soccer Stadium in the past as well. Sporting Kansas City were founded in 1995 and the club’s original name was Kansas City Wiz.
The Wizards wear navy blue shirts and dark blue shorts when playing at home, while the colour of their away kit is blue. Former Wigan Athletic man Roger Espinosa is regarded as one of the club’s most notable players and he has been playing for the Children’s Mercy Park outfit since 2015.
PSV 
Girona 
Borussia Dortmund 
Sturm Graz
Celtic 
Leipzig 
Lille 
Juventus 
Liverpool
Bayer Leverkusen 
Real Madrid 
Milan 
