Starting XI and roster notes: Cooper Sanchez returns to lineup as 5-Stripes play final home match of 2026

An Atlanta United Homegrown rejoins the starters for the club's final home match of 2026, capping a breakout season for the 18-year-old. 

Cooper Sanchez earns a spot in head coach Tata Martino's lineup for Atlanta United's 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff against Toronto FC. The 5-Stripes are dead set on getting three points and giving their 17s something to celebrate to close out their home schedule. 

Sanchez is joined by summer signings Mauricio Amaro and Giuliano Galoppo in midfield. They form a balanced unit with ball-winning and progressive qualities. 

Behind them is the preferred backline for Martino, full of signings from the last two windows. Lucas Hoyos is in goal with Elías Báez, Tomás Jacob, Júnior Alonso and Paulo Díaz in front of him.  

In attack, Miguel Almirón captains alongside Alexey Miranchuk and Breel Embolo. The Swiss forward, signed over the summer on a designated player deal, comes into the match having scored in back-to-back efforts for the first time as a 5-Stripe. 

Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United vs Toronto FC:

Lucas Hoyos, Tomás Jacob, Júnior Alonso, Paulo Díaz, Elías Báez, Mauricio Amaro, Cooper Sanchez, Giuliano Galoppo, Alexey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirón (C), Breel Embolo

Reserves: Jayden Hibbert, Matt Edwards, Tristan Muyumba, Adrian Gill, Jay Fortune, Steven Alzate, Fafa Picault, Luke Brennan, Cayman Togashi

Roster Notes:

-- Cooper Sanchez is in line to start his 23rd match of the 2026 MLS regular season. The Homegrown midfielder was a breakout youngster and was a mainstay in the starting XI the first half the season. He'll make his first start since September 26. 

-- Sanchez was named to MLS’ 22 under 22 last week. The Atlanta United Homegrown midfielder checked in at No. 18 on the list. The 18-year old has played nearly 2,000 minutes in his first full season with the First Team.  

-- Matt Edwards is sitting on 49 appearances in all competitions for Atlanta United. He needs just one more to reach 50 in all competitions. Only four other Homegrowns have reached that total in club history (Jay Fortune, Caleb Wiley, Tyler Wolff, George Bello). 

-- Miguel Almirón captains the 5-Stripes one more time at home in 2026. The Paraguayan leads the side with 14 goal contribution this regular season, 6 goals and 8 assists.

-- Breel Embolo starts after scoring in back-to-back matches. He had a headed goal in each of the 5-Stripes last two games against Chicago last Saturday and New York City Wednesday. 

-- The 5-Stripes are 4-1-5 (W-L-D) in home matches against Toronto. They have outscored the Reds 16-11 in those matches.