Atlanta United's home match Saturday against Philadelphia, which kicks off in about an hour at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, marks a momentous No. 50 for two players featured in head coach Ronny Deila's starting XI.
Midfielder Tristan Muyumba, paired with the ever versatile Jay Fortune in a double pivot, appears in the starting lineup. The start means the 50th appearance for Muyumba in the MLS regular season.
The second player is Jamal Thiaré, who earns the start Saturday at striker. He'll be making his 50th appearance for the club in all competitions.
Thiaré is coming off a goal scored for Atlanta United in his last appearance. His sliding tap-in against Austin FC midweek came in the dying moments of the match, securing the first goal of 2025 for the Senegalese striker and the second road result of the season for the 5-Stripes.
The setup man on Thiaré's goal, Saba Lobjanidze, is available off the bench against Philadelphia.
Thiaré's appearance in the starting XI provides a break for Emmanuel Latte Lath, Atlanta United's leading goal scorer. The Ivorian has played more than 1,000 minutes for the 5-Stripes this season, starting 12 matches. He missed some time training this week because he and his wife welcomed a baby.
Notably, the formation includes a backline of five again for Deila. The Atlanta United head coach rolled with that midweek in Austin, but this time he'll have his two starting fullbacks to begin the match. Brooks Lennon and Pedro Amador, who were both out earlier this week, appear in the starting XI as the two wingbacks.
Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United vs. Philadelphia Union:
Brad Guzan (C), Luis Abram, Derrick Williams, Matt Edwards, Pedro Amador, Tristan Muyumba, Jay Fortune, Brooks Lennon, Alexey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirón, Jamal Thiaré
Reserves: Josh Cohen, Noah Cobb, Ronald Hernández, Mateusz Klich, Emmanuel Latte Lath, Saba Lobjanidze, Edwin Mosquera, Will Reilly, Bartosz Slisz
Roster Notes:
-- With his seventh start on the year, Tristan Muyumba will make his 50th MLS regular season appearance. He becomes the 33rd player in Atlanta United history to reach the milestone.
-- This will be the 50th Atlanta United appearance in all competitions for starting striker Jamal Thiaré. He starts his second match of the season Saturday against Philly. He previously started the April 26 match in Orlando.
-- Brad Guzan is coming off a strong performance against Austin FC. Atlanta's big, bald wall made five saves, bringing his total to 47 on the year, which is tied for sixth in MLS in total saves coming into this weekend. The veteran has recorded three clean sheets against Philadelphia in his career.
-- The previous fixture between these two Eastern Conference sides came not that long ago. On April 19, the 5-Stripes fell to the Union 3-0 at Subaru Park.
-- Last time Atlanta United played at home, Brooks Lennon became the all-time assist leader in club history. He recorded his 40th assist for the 5-Stripes on Atlanta United's lone goal, scored by Miguel Almirón, in the May 3 draw with Nashville SC.
-- Miguel Almirón has scored 25 goals in all competitions for Atlanta United in his career. Only Josef MartÃnez (111) and Thiago Almada (26) have scored more goals in all competitions in club history.
-- Atlanta United owns a 5-5-6 (W-L-T) record against Philadelphia Union all-time in the regular season. At home, the 5-Stripes are undefeated against Philadelphia in MLS play.
-- Stian Gregersen was the only player listed on Friday's availability report. The center back will be out due to a quad injury he picked up the last time Atlanta played Philadelphia on April 19.
