Head coach Ronny Deila is bringing out the bigs for Atlanta United's Sunday Night Soccer matchup against Los Angeles FC. All three of the center backs currently match eligible are in the starting lineup: Stian Gregersen, Enea Mihaj and Juan Berrocal. They'll look to be lock down as the 5-Stripes encounter a potent LAFC attack at 9 p.m. ET. You can tune into the big-city matchup on MLS Season Pass.
Earlier this week, Deila and Alexey Miranchuk pointed out how the defense will be the foundation of a successful performance for Atlanta United this weekend. The three central defenders may range further along the defensive line and will look to stop quick counter attacks from the likes of Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga. Ronald Hernández and Pedro Amador should also take on defensive responsibilities but may also be freed up to make more attacking runs.
The middle of the park is where Atlanta United will look to set the tempo. Bartosz Slisz and Steven Alzate will back up Miranchuk and allow him to roam forward. Still, Miranchuk called on the attackers to be defensive assets after training Friday, so we could see him tracking back more often.
Ahead of the attacking midfielder will be captain Miguel Almirón and Jamal Thiaré. The veterans will look to hit on the break and capitalize if LAFC turns the ball over with too many numbers ahead.
Deila makes just one change to the starting XI from last time out against New England Revolution. That lineup was the exact same as the one to face San Diego FC a week earlier, continuity that Deila and his staff have looked for all season long. We'll see how the three center backs, two of whom are summer transfer window signings, get on playing at the same time. Clearly, the trio has earned Deila and the coaching staff's trust to handle LAFC in a road environment.
Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United at Los Angeles FC:
Jayden Hibbert, Ronald Hernández, Stian Gregersen, Juan Berrocal, Enea Mihaj, Bartosz Slisz, Steven Alzate, Pedro Amador, Alexey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirón (C), Jamal Thiaré
Reserves: Brad Guzan, Josh Cohen, Dominik Chong Qui, Cooper Sanchez, Tristan Muyumba, Cayman Togashi, Leo Afonso, Emmanuel Latte Lath, Saba Lobjanidze
Roster Notes:
-- All three central defenders Stian Gregersen, Enea Mihaj and Juan Berrocal start together for the first time. The three have started a total of 27 matches this season.
-- Jamal Thiaré starts his fifth straight match for the 5-Stripes, a streak he's setting for the first time in his MLS regular season career. Thiaré has racked up five goals in the 2025 MLS season and is first on the team in goals per 90 minutes this season.
-- Alexey Miranchuk and Miguel Almirón are set to make their 30th starts of the MLS regular season. The two are first and second on the 5-Stripes in minutes played this season, combining for over 5000.
-- Atlanta United and LAFC have faced off five times in their histories, and the series is split 2-2-1 (W-L-D). The 5-Stripes last won against the Black and Gold in 2021 and won the first ever matchup 5-0 back in 2018.
-- This match will be the final time Atlanta United wears its Resurgens kit. The club will have a new kit for the 2026 season.
