Head coach Tata Martino and his 5-Stripes are searching for a spark at home. Atlanta United faces a Chicago Fire side that has already qualified for the playoffs, all the while trying to save their own hopes of a postseason berth. The two sides will square off at 7:30 p.m. ET, and the hosts are making just one change from last time out.
Martino and his staff are aiming to get their guys more reps together without week-to-week turnover in the XI, and that much is evident in defense and attack for tonight. The backline is maintained from the Miami match, with Lucas Hoyos in goal and ElÃas Báez, Tomás Jacob, Júnior Alonso and Paulo DÃaz in front of him. Up top, Alexey Miranchuk and Miguel Almirón support Breel Embolo.Â
The only difference to last Saturday's lineup comes in the midfield, as Jay Fortune comes in for Tristan Muyumba in the middle of the park, perhaps a more attacking options for the 5-Stripes. Mauricio Amaro and Giuliano Galoppo join the Homegrown midfielder.Â
As Amaro said in the midweek, handling Chicago Fire and forward Robert Lewandowski will be a full-team task. We'll see if Atlanta United's choice to go with more youth in the central areas provides them an advantage.Â
Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United vs Chicago Fire:
Lucas Hoyos, Tomás Jacob, Júnior Alonso, Paulo DÃaz, ElÃas Báez, Mauricio Amaro, Jay Fortune, Giuliano Galoppo, Alexey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirón (C), Breel Embolo
Reserves: Jayden Hibbert, Enea Mihaj, Matt Edwards, Cooper Sanchez, Tristan Muyumba, Steven Alzate, Fafa Picault, Luke Brennan, Sergio Santos
Roster Notes:
-- Miguel Almirón and Alexey Miranchuk lead Atlanta United, both with 6 goals and 7 assists in the MLS regular season.Â
-- Jay Fortune returns to the starting XI in what will be his 10th start of the season after coming off the bench against Inter Miami. The midfielder broke Atlanta United's all-time appearances record for a Homegrown player earlier this year.
-- Mauricio Amaro starts his eighth match of the season for the 5-Stripes. With a pass completion percentage of 92% in MLS play, the Uruguayan leads all starters coming into tonight's match.Â
-- Atlanta United boasts a 8-6-4 (W-L-D) record all-time against Chicago in MLS competition. The 5-Stripes are 7-0-1 in home matches against the Fire, outscoring them 22-6 in those home matches. Â
-- Over the last four matches played, Atlanta United has taken 62 total shots. That ranks ninth in MLS over that span.







