Almost two weeks after Atlanta United's last match, the 5-Stripes go back on the road again, this time to face the Columbus Crew at 7:30 pm at Lower.com Field. Once again Ronny Deila has been forced to rotate players on his Starting XI, especially on the defensive side, due to some players still recovering from injuries. Efraín Morales, who's coming off from representing Bolivia a few weeks ago on FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, will make his first team debut in the 2025 Regular Season, and will suit up in the back next to fellow Homegrown Matt Edwards, and Luis Abram, who also represented Peru in the most recent World Cup Qualifier matches.
Deila spoke to media Monday morning after a training session about how the team needs to push forward together, for this last part of the season.
"It's a big, big ship, and you need everybody on board, and we have to go in the same direction," said Deila.
This will be Atlanta's third out of five road matches in a row, before coming back home Wedn., July 16 vs Chicago Fire, and a big rivalry match-up vs Charlotte FC on Sat., July 19. Tickets are still available for both matches (VIEW TICKETS HERE).
Columbus has only won one of their last seven Regular Season matches, while Atlanta was shutout in the last two matches (losses at New York Red Bulls & NYCFC). The last time both teams faced each other was on Sat., July 20, 2024 when Atlanta defeated Columbus 2-1 at home.
Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United at New York City FC:
- GK: Brad Guzan (C)
- DEF: Brooks Lennon, Matt Edwards, Efraín Morales, Luis Abram, Pedro Amador
- MED: Mateusz Klich, Bartosz Slisz, Alexey Miranchuk
- FOR: Miguel Almirón, Latte Lath
- Reserves: Jayden Hibbert, Noah Cobb, Ronald Hernández, Nyk Sessock, Will Reilly, Luke Brennan, Saba Lobjanidze, Edwin Mosquera, Jamal Thiaré
Roster Notes:
-- Efraín Morales will make his first team debut in the 2025 MLS Regular Season. The ATL UTD Homegrown has made four appearance with the first team in his career, starting in three matches, all of them in 2024. His last start and appearance with the first team was in June 22, 2024 vs St Louis City SC.
-- Matt Edwards, a right back coming into the season, will make his sixth-straight start at center back and seventh straight at any position.
-- Edwin Mosquera returns to the roster after missing out on the match at New York City FC. He's played 10 matches this season, scoring one goal.
-- The top four players with most minutes played so far this season for Atlanta United return to the Starting XI: Brad Guzan, Aleksey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirón and Emmanuel Latte Lath, in that order.
-- Atlanta United's work in the air could be a threat this Wednesday for Columbus, since the 5-Stripes are the fifth-highest team in the league in percentage of Aerial Duels Won (53.4%) while the Crew has the worst percentage (42.2%).
-- Nyk Sessock is available for selection after having signed his third short-term agreement with the club this season. He made his senior debut June 12 at New York City FC.
-- Per Atlanta United's availability report Tuesday, six players are listed as out for tonight's match: Josh Cohen, Ajani Fortune, Stian Gregersen, Tristan Muyumba, Cayman Togashi and Derrick Williams.
