Just in time for Atlanta United's coming home party, the big, bald wall is back. Brad Guzan returns to the starting lineup after missing his first start of the season while recovering from a successful surgery to fix a fractured cheek bone. The keeper suffered the knock against D.C. United July 5, missed the Toronto match July 12 with discomfort, and now returns. He'll be donning a mask tonight for extra protection as Atlanta United faces Chicago Fire at 7:30 p.m. ET tonight.
The rest of the starting XI is the exact same as four days ago in Canada: The defense features Luis Abram, Efraín Morales, Pedro Amador and Brooks Lennon. They've yet to concede a goal from open play in the last two matches, games which they all started for as well. At home, they'll look to make Mercedes-Benz Stadium a fortress and improve on their last time against Chicago, when they conceded twice.
In the midfield, Tristan Muyumba and Bartosz Slisz will start alongside Alexey Miranchuk. The trio combined to complete over 88 percent of their passes Saturday against Toronto, controlling the middle of the park and filtering the ball forward with proficiency.
Those three will be looking for the same front three as last time out, Saba Lobjanidze, Latte Lath and new team captain Miguel Almirón. Latte Lath will have some confidence coming off his first goal since March 29, and Almirón played one of his best matches of the season with the captain's armband against Toronto. The good form will need to continue up front if the 5-Stripes want to secure three points Wednesday night.
Whether starting or on the bench, the Atlanta United squad is raring to play in front of the 17s again. It's been nearly two months since the 5-Stripes last played at MBS, a wild 3-2 victory over Orlando City SC. It'll be a celebration all around, with boundless energy in the stands and on the pitch. Welcome home.
Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United vs Chicago Fire:
Brad Guzan, Brooks Lennon, Efraín Morales, Luis Abram, Pedro Amador, Bartosz Slisz, Tristan Muyumba, Alexey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirón (C), Emmanuel Latte Lath, Saba Lobjanidze
Reserves: Jayden Hibbert, Noah Cobb, Matt Edwards, Ronald Hernández, Mateusz Klich, Will Reilly, Luke Brennan, Jamal Thiaré, Cayman Togashi
Roster Notes:
-- Brad Guzan returns after not starting his first regular season match for Atlanta United since June of 2024. Atlanta United's goalkeeper is tied for third-most saves in MLS this season with 75.
-- Should Guzan start tonight, he would be one match away from 300 MLS regular season career appearances.
-- Brooks Lennon made history Saturday, starting his 150th MLS regular season match with Atlanta United. He was just the second player, Guzan being the first, to reach that total.
-- Miguel Almirón, who has 33 career assists with Atlanta United in all competitions, is one away from tying Thiago Almada for third-most in club history. Almirón will captain the 5-Stripes for the second match in a row.
-- Latte Lath scored for the first time since March 29 when his penalty kick found the back of the net in the 101st minute against Toronto. It was the latest goal in Atlanta United's league history.
-- Efraín Morales has excelled in his three-straight starts in the last three matches. According to FBref.com, he accrued 20 clearances and won 12 aerial duels in those appearances.
-- All four of Atlanta United's wins this season have come at home. The 5-Stripes just completed the longest road trip in their history, playing five away matches in a row.
-- Atlanta United has won every single MLS regular season match they've played against Chicago Fire at home. The 5-Stripes are 7-0-0 and have outscored the Fire 20-4 in those matches.
