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Im hot and yor not that not my fault ... Bars it is what it is new hair im that bish #starcandyapprove #starcandy #blackinkcrew #allatlanta #TAGAFRIEND #atl #starcandy #iamqueenoftheworld #queeninonuhoes💋💋✌️ #queenstarcandy #richandroyal #iamstarcandy💥💥🍬🍭 #iamfromanotherplanet #universal #stars #planets (at Atlanta, Georgia)

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Boehm: The case for an all-Atlanta XI in the 2018 MLS All-Star Game

Boehm: The case for an all-Atlanta XI in the 2018 MLS All-Star Game

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports June 25, 20186:26PM EDT

Atlanta United supporters have shown themselves to be a large, loud, proud and passionate bunch, packing Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Five Stripes home games – and stuffing the digital ballot box in any number of polls and votes, from AT&T Goal of the Week to…

View On WordPress

[365footballorg-blog]

Boehm: The case for an all-Atlanta XI in the 2018 MLS All-Star Game

Boehm: The case for an all-Atlanta XI in the 2018 MLS All-Star Game

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports June 25, 20186:26PM EDT

Atlanta United supporters have shown themselves to be a large, loud, proud and passionate bunch, packing Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Five Stripes home games – and stuffing the digital ballot box in any number of polls and votes, from AT&T Goal of the Week to…

View On WordPress

[365footballorg-blog]

Boehm: The case for an all-Atlanta XI in the 2018 MLS All-Star Game

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

June 25, 20186:26PM EDT

Atlanta United supporters have shown themselves to be a large, loud, proud and passionate bunch, packing Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Five Stripes home games – and stuffing the digital ballot box in any number of polls and votes, from AT&T Goal of the Week to Best-Dressed MLS Coach and now, the 2018 MLS All-Star Fan XI presented by Target.

It’s not often that you see anywhere near six players from one team in the Fan XI. Yet that’s exactly what the Five Stripes faithful achieved with their massive turnout in this year’s vote, which it appears will be matched by a full house at “The Benz,” with more than 50,000 tickets reportedly already sold for the Aug. 1 exhibition showcase vs. Italian giants Juventus.

Coming soon to the 🅰️. The #MLSAllStar Fan XI is set. // @Target pic.twitter.com/ssV4GDKvqC

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 25, 2018

The Fan XI is not the actual All-Stars starting lineup, of course, and the final roster will be much larger, with plenty of options for Atlanta head coach and All-Stars manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino. But it got us thinking: What if Tata really did go NBA (Nothing But ATLiens) with his 11?

After all, that’s really what the black-and-red masses want to see at MBS on the big night, isn’t it? Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Carlos Vela and Diego Valeri are classy talents capable of lighting up any pitch, but the ATL has embraced their high-octane home team and will roar the loudest for their boys when the time comes.

Besides, the second-year franchise are tops in the Supporters’ Shield standings at present and look quite likely to contend for MLS Cup. And with the All-Stars limited to only a couple of pregame training sessions, Martino’s preferred high-pressing tactics will be easier for his own players to fulfill than fresh-off-the-plane stars from elsewhere.

So with that in mind, here’s an all-Atlanta United XI for All-Star 2018.

DEFENSE

Jeff Larentowicz and Michael Parkhurst during ATL training | USA Today Sports Images

Brad Guzan made the Fan XI and is the clear No. 1 in The A, so that’s goalkeeper sorted.

Similarly, Michael Parkhurst is Atlanta’s captain, cerebral center of the Five Stripes back line and a Fan XI pick as well. He’ll anchor the 3-5-2 shape I have in mind here, which Martino has used often this season and would match up well should Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri roll out the three-man back line he’s been fond of for much of his managerial career.

Leandro Gonzalez Pirez has been a rock in the back for ATL for most of the team’s short existence, so he and versatile newcomer Franco Escobar will flank Parkhurst.

MIDFIELD

ATLUTD celebrate a Miguel Almiron goal | USA Today Sports Images

A rangy, technical central midfield is necessary to keep pace with European aristocrats like Juventus, so this ATL ASG squad will be built around the iron triangle of Miguel Almiron (the playmaker), Darlington Nagbe (the connector) and Jeff Larentowicz (the ageless anchor). Importantly, the trio can both keep the ball circulating in possession and hunt it down in packs when it’s lost.

Fullback/wingback Greg Garza is out for the season with a shoulder injury; his absence will be keenly felt. When Tata’s feeling defensive-minded he plugs Mikey Ambrose or Chris McCann into Garza’s slot. But since the All-Star Game is all about goals, flash and flair, I’ll take the gamble of throwing Ezequiel Barco out wide left instead, to cram a bit more creativity into the team.

On the right flank, ATL utility man Julian Gressel finally gets the dap he deserves with an ASG nod that makes good use of his varied skillset. Even if Barco doesn’t track back religiously, Gressel’s lungs and brains will allow him to go endline to endline and keep the Five Stripes from losing all semblance of defensive shape.

FORWARDS

Josef Martinez strikes a pose | USA Today Sports Images

MLS Golden Boot leader and Fan XI pick Josef Martinez is a no-brainer here. A Serie A veteran with Torino, the Venezuelan loves big spotlights and against Juve could be even more driven to score than he usually is.

Tito Villalba has been Martinez’s running mate up top in the past and looks well-suited to do so here as well. His ability to drift wide can open up space for the movement of Barco and Almiron, and present Juventus’ defenders with difficult decisions at speed.

OK, I know what you’re thinking

Yes, it would be shocking, highly unconventional and even downright disrespectful to the rest of the league for Martino just to call in 11 ATLUTD players for the ASG, much less start that many. There’s really no way it could ever actually happen even if he – or commissioner Don Garber – wanted it to.

But admit it: You’re giving that XI a second look and wondering just how it would fare against the 34-time Italian champions. And isn’t that really what all-star games are all about?

A potential All-Atlanta XI for the 2018 All-Star Game

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Boehm: The case for an all-Atlanta XI in the 2018 MLS All-Star Game was originally published on 365 Football