17s will flood back into Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the first time this September as the 5-Stripes fight for a playoff position. Atlanta United player — some returning from international break obligations, others having stayed in the 404 to train for a huge matchup— will be raring to go against Columbus Crew. The match is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET, so get on over to MBS early for a crucial fixture.
Miguel Almirón returns to the 5-Stripes after helping the Paraguayan national team qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He'll captain the home side again and will feature at the No. 10 position. Alexey Miranchuk is on the bench for head coach Ronny Deila's side, as the midfielder just recently returned from his international break.
Jayden Hibbert is once again Deila's selection in the net. The 21-year-old joined the Canadian National Team during the international break. He's been on quite the tear in the last two matches for his club side, keeping two clean sheets in a row.
In front of him, the backline remains unchanged from Nashville, with Ronald Hernández and Pedro Amador flanking Enea Mihaj and Stian Gregersen. That unit is finally showing some consistency in personnel, and the time playing together is paying dividends.
Steven Alzate will occupy the defensive midfielder role in place of Bartosz Slisz, who will miss the match due to Yellow-Card Accumulation. Alongside the Colombian English midfielder will be Tristan Muyumba, who should play a more advanced No. 8 role.
Luke Brennan and Saba Lobjanidze slot in on the left and right, respectively. They'll both provide pace and directness to support Jamal Thiaré up front, who continues to fill in for Emmanuel Latte Lath while he heals a hamstring injury.
Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United vs Columbus Crew:
Jayden Hibbert, Ronald Hernández, Stian Gregersen, Enea Mihaj, Pedro Amador, Steven Alzate, Tristan Muyumba, Miguel Almirón (C), Saba Lobjanidze, Luke Brennan, Jamal Thiaré
Reserves: Brad Guzan, Brooks Lennon, Nyk Sessock, Juan Berrocal, Will Reilly, Cooper Sanchez, Alexey Miranchuk, Cayman Togashi, Leo Afonso
Roster Notes:
-- Miguel Almirón sits on 25 career goals in all competitions for Atlanta United. He could tie second place in club history, Thiago Almada, with a goal tonight.
-- Jayden Hibbert hasn't allowed a goal in his last 222 minutes played in the MLS regular season. He returns to Atlanta after being called up to the Canadian National Team during the break.
-- Saba Lobjanidze, starting on the right side of the attack today, leads all 5-Stripes with seven assists in MLS play this season and eight in all competitions. His season high for assists in his career is eight, which he accomplished twice in the Turkish Süper Lig.
-- The 5-Stripes are 4-4-2 (W-L-D) against Columbus Crew at home in their history. Atlanta United has narrowly outscored the Crew 15-13 in those matches.
-- Atlanta United comes into the match with two consecutive clean sheets against Toronto FC and Nashville SC. The last time the 5-Stripes kept three in a row was in 2019.
-- Bartosz Slisz will miss the match due to Yellow-Card Accumulation. Jay Fortune, Matt Edwards, and Emmanuel Latte Lath will also be out with injuries according to the club's Friday availability report.
