Starting XI and roster notes: Cooper Sanchez returns to lineup for D.C. fixture

It's a crucial weekend matchup for Atlanta United as they look to get themselves back in the heat of a playoff race. The 5-Stripes will get their promising midfielder Cooper Sanchez back when they take on D.C. United at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday night in the nation's capital. 

Lucas Hoyos starts in goal with a defensive line with one change: Tomás Jacob, Júnior Alonso, Elías Báez and Enea Mihaj, the new entrant. They'll try and keep the 5-Stripes clean against a D.C. United team with the second-least goals scored in the Eastern Conference heading into Saturday. 

Sanchez gets his midfield reintroduction alongside Jay Fortune and Mauricio Amaro. The three have pressing capabilities that could help Atlanta United win the ball higher up the pitch. 

In attack, the Designated Players are raring to get back on the scoresheet. Breel Embolo, Miguel Almirón and Alexey Miranchuk lead the lines with chance creation, but converting into goalscoring output will be needed in a critical match. 

Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United at D.C. United:

Lucas Hoyos, Tomás Jacob, Júnior Alonso, Enea Mihaj, Elías Báez, Jay Fortune, Mauricio Amaro, Cooper Sanchez, Alexey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirón (C), Breel Embolo

Reserves: Jayden Hibbert, Matt Edwards, Paulo Díaz, Adrian Gill, Will Reilly, Sergio Santos, Fafa Picault, Luke Brennan, Tristan Muyumba

Roster Notes:

-- Miguel Almirón has now created multiple chances in 10 consecutive matches, a career streak for him. That's tied with Thiago Almada for the longest such run with multiple chances created for Atlanta United since 2020. 

-- Alexey Miranchuk recently eclipsed 2000 minutes played this season. The Designated Player will start Saturday night as Atlanta United's leading scorer this MLS season. 

-- Cooper Sanchez returns to the starting XI after missing the match in the midweek in concussion protocol. The 18-year-old Homegrown has started 21 matches for the 5-Stripes, the second most of any Atlanta United Homegrown before turning 19. 

-- Atlanta United has a 10-7-4 (W-L-D) record against D.C. United in their history. With a win tonight, the 5-Stripes could pull within three points of D.C. in the Eastern Conference.