Coming off the second international break of the 2025 MLS season, head coach Ronny Deila knew he'd have to rotate his side. He might not have imagined choosing four natural fullbacks, but that's just what Atlanta United's lineup holds. The 5-Stripes kick off against New York City FC at 7:30 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium Thursday night, and the starting XI is one of the most interesting of the season.
Deila spoke to media Tuesday morning after a training session about how he would go about choosing his starting squad for the midweek match, his return to NYCFC's home pitch after coaching there from 2020 to 2022. His determination is that most of the players who represented their national teams over the last week aren't quite fit to start — most of them played in matches Monday and Tuesday of this week.
Just one player who played over the FIFA international window for his national team is starting tonight for the 5-Stripes. His work ethic is well documented, and of all the players returning, it's no surprise that guy is Saba Lobjanidze. He'll have a different challenge starting as one of two No. 9s Thursday night. Jamal Thiaré, Atlanta United's top goalscorer since the start of May, will line up alongside him.
Their pairing brings balance to the attack — Thiaré brings physicality and positioning, and Saba brings finesse and directness. Both have the pace to stretch New York City's defense, something the 5-Stripes did well last time out against their Eastern Conference foes.
In defense, the five-at-the-back formation features four natural fullbacks: Pedro Amador, Ronald Hernández, Matt Edwards and Brooks Lennon. Hernández and Edwards join Derrick Williams in the trio of center backs. Edwards is in line to start at center back in five straight matches, an impressive run for a player who came into the season having played at right back most often. The extra fullbacks in the formation should make Atlanta's defense more mobile and press resistant.
Above them in the midfield, Alexey Miranchuk and Mateusz Klich bring experience alongside Atlanta United Homegrown Will Reilly. Against FC Cincinnati March 22, Reilly started and excelled. He's got another chance to impress Deila, who praised his effort after the match.
Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United at New York City FC:
Brad Guzan (C), Brooks Lennon, Matt Edwards, Derrick Williams, Ronald Hernández, Pedro Amador, Mateusz Klich, Will Reilly, Alexey Miranchuk, Jamal Thiaré, Saba Lobjanidze
Reserves: Jayden Hibbert, Noah Cobb, EfraÃn Morales, Luis Abram, Cooper Sanchez, Nyk Sessock, Luke Brennan, Miguel Almirón, Emmanuel Latte Lath
Roster Notes:
-- Ronny Deila will face his former MLS team on the road for the first time. He managed New York City FC from 2020 to 2022 and won MLS Cup with the side in 2021.
-- Saba Lobjanidze will start up front for the 5-Stripes for the first time this season. He leads Atlanta United this season with 238 sprints, good for ninth in MLS.
-- Matt Edwards, a right back coming into the season, will make his fifth-straight start at center back and seventh straight at any position.
-- Brooks Lennon returns to the starting XI for the first time since May 17. He's started 10 matches so far this season and broke Atlanta United's all-time assists record May 3 against Nashville.
-- Atlanta United's attack is improving quickly and carving out more clear chances in recent matches. They've generated 8.76 expected goals in the last three matches, third in MLS over that span.
-- The 5-Stripes come into the match second in MLS with 23.6 expected assists on the season, according to FBref.com. Only Columbus Crew, who Atlanta United will face after New York City, have more.
-- Atlanta United are looking for their first road win over NYCFC in their MLS regular season history. The 5-Stripes' win over New York City March 29 was the first win by either team in the fixture since 2022.
-- Per Atlanta United's availability report Wednesday, five players are listed as out for tonight's match: Josh Cohen, Stian Gregersen, Edwin Mosquera, Tristan Muyumba and Cayman Togashi.
-- This match kicks off the second half of the 2025 MLS regular season for Atlanta United. They sit in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, eight points off a Wild Card spot.
