Head coach Ronny Deila is shifting things around in the Atlanta United starting XI for the club's first ever trip to Austin FC. The 5-Stripes will begin the match in a five-at-the-back formation for their head-to-head with Los Verdes tonight, kicking off at 9 p.m. ET. Tune in to the match with Apple TV's MLS Season Pass here!
Deila and his staff are looking for stability and flexibility with this lineup. Atlanta United will be without three first-choice defenders — Stian Gregersen, Pedro Amador and Brooks Lennon — according to the club's availability report from Tuesday. With Matt Edwards and Ronald Hernández occupying the wing back roles, the 5-Stripes will have extra numbers in defense yet still have options going forward as those two push up the flanks.
In the midfield, the Polish double-pivot combination of Mateusz Klich and Bartosz Slisz returns. With two ball-winners occupying the defensive midfield, the 5-Stripes have the manpower to solidify a defense that has conceded nine goals in the last four matches.
Alexey Miranchuk will feature further up in the Atlanta United attack. Miguel Almirón, who last scored at home against Nashville SC May 3, will slot in opposite of him. The club's leading scorer this season, Emmanuel Latte Lath, will once again start up front, looking to stretch Austin's backline.
The heat very well may be a factor in Wednesday's affair. The temperature at kickoff is expected to be 91 degrees. Deila said his team will be hydrated and prepared to face it. He mentioned after training Monday that he doesn't want his players pressing one-on-one so they don't wear out too quickly. Substitutions will be of the upmost importance, especially given this will be the second of three matches Atlanta United plays in seven days.
Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United against Austin FC:
Brad Guzan (C); Matt Edwards, Noah Cobb, Derrick Williams, Luis Abram, Ronald Hernández, Bartosz Slisz, Mateusz Klich, Alexey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirón, Emmanuel Latte Lath
Reserves: Josh Cohen, Luke Brennan, Jay Fortune, Saba Lobjanidze, EfraÃn Morales, Edwin Mosquera, Tristan Muyumba, Will Reilly, Jamal Thiaré
Match Notes:
-- The match will be Atlanta United's first away match at Austin FC in club history. The 5-Stripes have only faced Los Verdes once, a loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium July 9, 2022.
-- Noah Cobb will make his third start of the 2025 season, his most recent being his full-match effort against Orlando City SC April 26.
-- The match will feature two newly signed forwards. Emmanuel Latte Lath and Brandon Vásquez both joined their clubs this past offseason billed as top attacking talent. Latte Lath has five goals and one assist, and Vásquez has three goals in MLS matches.
-- It's a battle of the Brad's in net. Brad Guzan is tied for sixth-most saves in MLS this season with 42. Austin FC's keeper, Brad Stuver, has 43 on the season.
-- Both Atlanta United and Austin FC are winless in their last three matches in MLS play. In that stretch, the 5-Stripes picked up one more point than Los Verdes.
-- The 5-Stripes are yet to win on the road this season, with the only point they've earned coming against FC Cincinnati March 22. Atlanta United will look to changed that in uncharted territory deep in the heart of Texas.
