Atlanta United v New York City: Valentino accepts Five Stripes in 'tough moment'

Rob Valentino accepts Atlanta United are going through a "tough moment" as they bid to halt their four-game losing streak against New York City on Wednesday.

Atlanta's slump continued with a 1-0 defeat at CF Montreal last weekend, which came on the back of MLS losses to the New England Revolution and Real Salt Lake and a U.S. Open Cup exit versus Indy Eleven.

The Five Stripes sit 11th in the Eastern Conference, two points adrift of the playoff picture, and have only won two of eight matches under interim coach Valentino (two draws, four defeats).

Asked how his team could offer more in attack, Valentino said: "Look, it's a tough moment, right? 

"I said earlier that it was going to be like that, and I think with most teams in the league, if you are solid defensively you can frustrate them and then create chances.

"That's what I've been trying to add. We didn't get a goal which I'm not happy about, but it shows that we have something in the group."

NYCFC, meanwhile, have been inconsistent of late, recording two wins, one draw and four defeats in their last seven games.

They drew 0-0 with the Chicago Fire on Saturday, with young left-back Christian McFarlane making his full debut and producing an impressive performance.

"I thought he was excellent," Cushing said of McFarlane. "I thought he showed his quality; his physical quality and his technical quality. 

"I think he showed the potential to be a top left-back anywhere in the world. He is a guy that can play week in week out. 

"I think he showed maturity for a guy that's only [previously] come into a game at home against Columbus. To go on the road and play 90 minutes in a game where we didn't play so well."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Atlanta United – Brooks Lennon

Lennon failed to create a chance as Atlanta struggled versus Montreal last time out, though his five assists are more than any other Five Stripes player has managed this term.

He also leads all his team-mates for expected assists (5.34 xA) and chances created (52) in MLS this season.

New York City – Christian McFarlane

NYCFC recorded just their second clean sheet since May last time out, with English 17-year-old McFarlane producing a composed display.

He made two tackles and completed 80% of his passes in the final third versus Chicago, and Cushing looks set to give him another opportunity here. 

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Atlanta are in a dismal run of form, though three of their four straight defeats have come on the road. At home, they have recorded one win, one draw and one loss in their last three.

New York, meanwhile, are winless in four on the road, losing three in a row before their goalless draw with the Fire and failing to net in three of those four matches.

It could be a game of few chances between teams low on confidence, and seven of the teams' previous 16 meetings have finished level (four Atlanta wins, five for NYCFC).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Atlanta United – 42%

New York City – 31.3%

Draw – 26.7%