A Montréal matchup in the midweek serves as a real chance for Atlanta United to generate some positive momentum, and the coaching staff has chosen the starting XI to do it. It has four changes from the weekend, an expected level of rotation as the 5-Stripes face CF Montréal at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Atlanta United's defense has two changes, as Paulo Díaz enters the lineup for rotation and Matt Edwards replaces a suspended Tomás Jacob. They'll join Júnior Alonso and Elías Báez on the backline, with Lucas Hoyos holding it down between the sticks.
The midfield will see one switch of position, as Jay Fortune drops back into his preferred position in a trio alongside Mauricio Amaro and Giuliano Galoppo. Alexey Miranchuk returns to the starting lineup in attack alongside Breel Embolo and captain Miguel Almirón.
Galoppo spoke yesterday on the necessity to build on his connections with Miranchuk, Almirón and particularly Embolo. That pipeline from midfield to attack will have to be direct and unpredictable for Montréal's defense if the 5-Stripes want to walk away with three points.
Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United at CF Montréal:
Lucas Hoyos, Matt Edwards, Júnior Alonso, Paulo Díaz, Elías Báez, Mauricio Amaro, Giuliano Galoppo, Jay Fortune, Alexey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirón (C), Breel Embolo
Reserves: Jayden Hibbert, Enea Mihaj, Adrian Gill, Cooper Sanchez, Steven Alzate, Tristan Muyumba, Fafa Picault, Sergio Santos, Cayman Togashi
Roster Notes:
-- Miguel Almirón is in line to make his 21st start of the MLS regular season. In 13 matches since the World Cup summer break, he leads the 5-Stripes with 8 goal contributions.
-- Alexey Miranchuk returns to the starting XI after a substitute appearance against FC Cincinnati last Saturday. The designated player leads the 5-Stripes with 13 goal contributions in the MLS regular season.
-- Giuliano Galoppo starts his fourth consecutive match, fresh off winning a team-high 7 dules against FC Cincinnati. The Argentine recovered possession 4 times and had 2 shots on target.
-- Atlanta United is currently on 497 goals scored in MLS regular season play in its history, three away from a milestone 500.
-- The 5-Stripes are 9-5-5 (W-L-D) all-time against their Eastern Conference foes CF Montréal.
