We've got shake ups in the starting XI for Atlanta United's last match of the 2025 Leagues Cup campaign. A new face will kick off the match on the pitch, and two Homegrown players will start as the 5-Stripes take on Atlas FC in their third Leagues Cup match.
Jayden Hibbert will start his second match of the 2025 season in goal for the 5-Stripes. He filled in for Brad Guzan on the road against Toronto FC July 12, making four saves in his MLS debut and earning his team a point.
Nyk Sessock, who signed a First Team contract with Atlanta United earlier this week, will make his first ever start for Atlanta United. He'll slot in at his natural right back position in a new backline including Stian Gregersen and Ronald Hernández at center back and Brooks Lennon at left back. Sessock provides crossing ability and up-and-down-the-pitch energy, and he'll look to build on his first couple of substitute appearances in what will be a moment to remember.
Ahead of the back four, Will Reilly reenters the midfield as a starter for just the fourth time this season. Assistant coach Kenny Miller praised the Homegrown midifielder's performances so far in 2025 in media availability after training Tuesday. He'll have veteran help alongside him, with Alexey Miranchuk and Bartosz Slisz rounding out the midfield.
In the front three, Jamal Thiaré and Saba Lobjanidze feature in the starting XI alongside Luke Brennan, who started three straight matches before coming off the bench against Pumas Saturday night. It will be the first time this season that this combination of attackers begins the match together, a chance for the three build chemistry together through production.
Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United vs Atlas FC:
Jayden Hibbert, Nyk Sessock, Ronald Hernández, Stian Gregersen, Brooks Lennon, Bartosz Slisz (C), Will Reilly, Alexey Miranchuk, Saba Lobjanidze, Jamal Thiaré, Luke Brennan
Reserves: Brad Guzan, Josh Cohen, Dominik Chong Qui, Sal Mazzaferro, Enea Mihaj, Cooper Sanchez, Tristan Muyumba, Leo Afonso, Cayman Togashi, Miguel Almirón
Roster Notes:
-- Wednesday night's match will be the first competitive meeting between Atlanta United and Atlas FC. The traveling team is based in Guadalajara, Mexico and were founded over a century ago in 1916.
-- Nyk Sessock will start a match for Atlanta United for the first time in his career. The fullback has started 14 matches for Atlanta United 2 this season and was signed to a First Team contract earlier this week.
-- Alexey Miranchuk leads all players through the first two matches of Leagues Cup this season with nine key passes played.
-- Saba Lobjanidze became just the seventh player in Atlanta United history to tally 20 assists for the club across all competitions Saturday night when he assisted against Pumas.
-- Miguel Almirón also assisted a goal against Pumas, moving him into outright third place in career assists for the 5-Stripes. Only Brooks Lennon and Julian Gressel have more.
-- Atlanta United yesterday announced the Short-Term Agreement signing of defender Sal Mazzaferro for the match, his first call-up of the 2025 season.
