Availability report and match preview: 5-Stripes face Southern Showdown with Nashville SC

When Atlanta United and Nashville SC square up, you just expect flames. The first 2026 edition of the Southern Showdown, which is also Atlanta United's HBCU Night match, will bring just that. A flying Nashville side comes to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to face a quickly improving 5-Stripes team. The ingredients are all there for a real battle, set to kick at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, April 18.

Availability report: A key absence for Atlanta

The 5-Stripes took a hit after their midweek match, with Miguel Almirón being shut down with knee irritation for 1-2 weeks, the club announced Friday. The Paraguayan was taken off in the 71st minute of the match against Chattanooga FC Wednesday night.

"The absence of an important player who is as important as Miguel for any team is a deciding factor," Martino said in Spanish Friday afternoon. "We hope that it'll be a short recovery time. What we'll never do is rush or take any risks with a player in terms of their recovery."

Steven Alzate and Sergio Santos both remain out with adductor and calf injuries, respectively. 

As for the players who sat out for the midweek match, Martino said they would all be available for selection Saturday night. That list includes Emmanuel Latte Lath, Stian Gregersen, Saba Lobjanidze and Enea Mihaj.

The 5-Stripes' plans for a match without Almirón

Though his teammate and countryman Matías Galarza described him as a "fundamental piece" to the team, the 5-Stripes will have a plan to operate without Almirón. Galarza said he trusts Tata to put forth a squad and tactics that will function without their number 10.

"It's not going to be easy to replace a player of his quality and his career trajectory," Galarza said in Spanish Friday. "But Tata will put in whoever he thinks is best. We know Miguel will be back in a short time."

Martino and his staff know the greater philosophy of their system takes precedent over any one player. It's exactly why the 5-Stripes' midweek win over Chattanooga FC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, with most of the squad rotated, was so encouraging. Possession was converted into chances, which were converted into goals in a streamline of attacking efficiency.

Atlanta's job now is to show they can produce that against MLS caliber competition. Martino took into account the context of the result coming against an MLS NEXT Pro side, but he's been insistent that his side's buildup is the area where they've grown the most in the early going.  

Martino's system also supersedes the sometimes-understandable desire to changes tactics drastically match to match to try and earn results — especially against 

"As coaches, we're making small modifications of small details," Martino said. "But I think it's important to stick to the idea to avoid confusion."

We'll see with the starting XI releasing tomorrow who the coaches tab to replace Almirón on the left side of the attack. It could be Saba, who is rested after not playing in the midweek. Or, the team could potentially change shape and bring on an extra midfielder, especially given their depth in that area of the pitch.

The Southern rivals are hot

Martino admitted it himself Friday: Nashville SC are in great form heading into the match. Atlanta United's rivals are first in the Eastern Conference and won a midweek match against Club América to advance to the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup. Saturday night's match will be a battle for the 5-Stripes, one they'll welcome with the energy only a rivalry can bring.

"It's a team who are in a great moment right now, and they've been a very solid team for the past few years," Martino said.

One of the keys to Nashville's success, and conversely the area where Atlanta United will need to contain, is in their attack. Hany Mukhtar, a former Landon Donovan MVP award winner, isn't the only player the 5-Stripes should look out for.

"It's not just Mukhtar, he's one of the most important players but really what I'm worried about is them taking advantage of the spaces when they intercept," Martino said. 

Martino called out Sam Surridge and Cristian Espinoza as dangerous attackers that his side will be keyed in on. Surridge's status is still up in the air according to Nashville head coach BJ Callaghan, but just like the 5-Stripes, Nashville's system will be firing no matter who plays. Countering the team's ability to exploit space has been a focus for Atlanta United in training over the last two days.

"We're continuing to work on things every day so that each player knows their individual responsibilities, which will then help the collective group," Galarza said.

Many tactical and personnel wrinkles are still up in the air as the two teams get ready for their match Saturday night. For Martino and his crew, the match will be as much a chance to restore results as it will be an opportunity to fortify themselves mentally. 

"Many things can change over the course of the season," Martino said. "The poor results are something that we can resolve before the World Cup break, but the confidence and the emotional state of the team are also important ... What we also have to work on is not just resolve the results but improve that confidence."