Atlanta United is officially down to their last chance to keep their playoff hopes alive, a road matchup against New York City FC. Coming in the midweek, the match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET from Citi Field in Queens as the 5-Stripes make two changes to their previous starting XI.
Head coach Tata Martino is rotating his side to keep fresh — bringing in Matt Edwards and Tristan Muyumba.
Lucas Hoyos starts in goal with Edwards on his left. Júnior Alonso and Paulo Díaz make up the middle of the defense, both of whom missed the reverse fixture on international duty. Tomás Jacob, a goalscorer last weekend, rounds out the backline.
In the middle, it's Muyumba with a pair of South Americans in Mauricio Amaro and Giuliano Galoppo. They'll dictate the tempo and ability of Atlanta United to control possession, as Muyumba and Amaro are both above 90% in passing completion this season.
Up top, it's the same front three from the weekend and the majority of recent matches: captain Miguel Almirón, summer signing Breel Embolo and designated player Alexey Miranchuk.
Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United at New York City FC:
Lucas Hoyos, Tomás Jacob, Júnior Alonso, Paulo Díaz, Matt Edwards, Mauricio Amaro, Tristan Muyumba, Giuliano Galoppo, Alexey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirón (C), Breel Embolo
Reserves: Jayden Hibbert, Elías Báez, Cooper Sanchez, Adrian Gill, Jay Fortune, Steven Alzate, Fafa Picault, Luke Brennan, Sergio Santos
Roster Notes:
-- Tomás Jacob is ready for what will be his 28th start of the 2026 MLS regular season. The Argentine is fresh off scoring Atlanta United's earliest goal of the season 4 minutes into the match against Chicago Fire October 24.
-- Matt Edwards starts at left back in replacement of Elías Báez, a change for a midweek match. The Atlanta United Homegrown will reach his 10th start of the season, playing opposite his traditional right-sided role.
-- Miguel Almirón starts after extending his record for most assists in club history with 43. He dished out the pass that led to Jacob's goal to kick off the Chicago match.
-- Atlanta United and New York City FC drew 2-2 in the reverse fixture September 22. The 5-Stripes used goals from Giuliano Galoppo and Jay Fortune to come back from two deficits.
-- The 5-Stripes come into the match having conceded the fewest goals from set pieces this regular season. Atlanta United are tied with Vancouver Whitecaps with just 3 goals let in from set plays.
