Starting XI and roster notes: Alexey Miranchuk returns to starting lineup for Home Opener

It's reunion time. The 5-Stripes are home, and so is El Profe. 

Tata Martino will return, alongside his Atlanta United squad, to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It's been over four months since the 5-Stripes took the pitch at the vaunted venue. For Tata, it's been over seven years since he stepped on the Atlanta United side of the touchline. Now, it's time to turn memories into modern moments of magic. 

Martino and his coaching staff made a couple changes to the starting XI from last weekend's away fixture at San Jose. Namely, designated player Alexey Miranchuk is in the XI for the first time this season. 

The attacking midfielder was one of the Atlanta's most productive players last season, and most available. He started 31 MLS matches for the 5-Stripes in 2025, adding 10 goal contributions in league play. 

He'll feature in a front three of designated players for Atlanta United, including captain Miguel Almirón and Emmanuel Latte Lath. The 5-Stripes are hungry to break their goalless streak and find the back of the net for the first time this season, and they've got the firepower up front to do so. 

Behind the attackers, we find Martino's second change to last week's lineup. Tristan Muyumba enters the fold alongside returning starters Steven Alzate and Cooper Sanchez. 

That addition means Tomás Jacob, one of Atlanta United's eight winter signings, slots into the defense at right back. Enea Mihaj, Juan Berrocal and Elías Báez return, and so does goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos. The defense will have a lot on their hands with a transition-heavy Real Salt Lake side. Mihaj called out the importance of winning their individual duels this week. 

Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United vs Real Salt Lake:

Lucas Hoyos, Tomás Jacob, Juan Berrocal, Enea Mihaj, Elías Báez, Tristan Muyumba, Steven Alzate, Cooper Sanchez, Alexey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirón (C), Emmanuel Latte Lath

Reserves: Jayden Hibbert, Stian Gregersen, Ronald Hernández, Pedro Amador, Matt Edwards, Matías Galarza, Luke Brennan, Saba Lobjanidze

Roster Notes:

-- Tata Martino will coach his first home match in his return as head coach of Atlanta United. Martino’s winning percentage in home matches is .737 during MLS Regular Season play. That’s the highest winning percentage at home among current MLS coaches (minimum 20 home games coached).

-- Designated player Alexey Miranchuk is in line to make his first start of the regular season. The midfielder scored 6 goals and added 4 assists in MLS regular season matches in 2025. 

-- Cooper Sanchez starts for a third consecutive match. The Homegrown midfielder became the youngest Atlanta United player to start a season opener in club history Feb. 21 when he featured in the midfielder against FC Cincinnati. 

-- Miguel Almirón comes into the match with 35 assists, needing 2 to tie Brooks Lennon (37) for the most assists in Atlanta United's MLS Regular Season history. He needs 4 assists to tie Lennon for most assists across all comps in club history.  

-- Tomás Jacob has been productive in his first two regular season matches, becoming just the ninth player in all of MLS since 2010 to record 20 duels won and 7 tackles won. He’s the first to put up those numbers since 2019.  

-- Tristan Muyumba starts for the first time this season. The Frenchman has appeared off the bench in both of Atlanta United's regular season matches this season. 

-- Midfielder loan signing Matías Galarza makes the bench and could make his first club appearance. The Paraguayan signed with the 5-Stripes on Monday.

-- Atlanta United is looking to become the second MLS team ever to win at least 7 consecutive Home Opener matches. The 5-Stripes have won their last six matches to kick off their season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

-- Real Salt Lake becomes the second consecutive Western Conference opponent for Atlanta United. The 5-Stripes have a 3-2-0 record all-time against Real Salt Lake, having won both home matches.