Starting XI and roster notes: Matías Galarza to make first start for 5-Stripes

Atlanta United's most recent signing is raring to go. Matías Galarza is in line to make his first career start with the 5-Stripes.

Signed less than two weeks ago, Galarza will enter the Atlanta United midfield as his team looks to get the best of a familiar opponent in Philadelphia Union. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. as 17s will see a slightly altered starting XI from the last match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium just a week ago. 

Head coach Tata Martino is making two changes to the lineup he fielded against Real Salt Lake March 7, Galarza being one of them. The Paraguayan midfielder brought in from River Plate in Argentina will start alongside youngster Cooper Sanchez and veteran Tristan Muyumba in a very well-rounded midfield. 

Galarza and Martino spoke at media about his role as a left-sided No. 8 midfielder during media availability this week. We'll get a chance to see just how he fits into the side in an increased role as a starter. 

Behind them will be the other change, as Stian Gregersen makes his first start of the 2026 season. His commanding physical presence paired with pace will be crucial for Atlanta's hopes of containing the Union's duo of forwards. Elías Báez, Enea Mihaj, Tomás Jacob and Lucas Hoyos return to round out the defense and keeper position. 

Up front, it's the trio that looked more and more fluid by the minute last time out. Alexey Miranchuk is fresh off a brace, Miguel Almirón had his best performance of the early season, and Emmanuel Latte Lath picked up an assist against Real Salt Lake. The front three made up entirely of designated players will be eager to lead the 5-Stripes to their first win of the season. 

Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United vs Philadelphia Union:

Lucas Hoyos, Tomás Jacob, Stian Gregersen, Enea Mihaj, Elías Báez, Tristan Muyumba, Matías Galarza, Cooper Sanchez, Alexey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirón (C), Emmanuel Latte Lath

Reserves: Jayden Hibbert, Ronald Hernández, Pedro Amador, Matt Edwards, Steven Alzate, Fafa Picault, Cayman Togashi, Sergio Santos, Saba Lobjanidze

Roster Notes:

-- Alexey Miranchuk leads the lines for the 5-Stripes in his second consecutive start. He scored his first MLS brace in Atlanta's last match against Real Salt Lake. It also was the fourth consecutive home opener for ATL UTD in which a player scored 2+ goals in the match. Thiago Almada (2 in 2023), Giorgos Giakoumakis (3 in 2024) and Latte Lath (2 in 2025) were the others.  

-- Cooper Sanchez starts for a fourth consecutive match. The 17-year-old 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. Against Real Salt Lake March 7, he became the fourth youngest player to earn a goal contribution for the 5-Stripes when he picked up a secondary assist for Miranchuk's opening goal.

-- 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.

-- Midfielder loan signing Matías Galarza is prepared to make his first start for Atlanta United. The Paraguayan signed with the 5-Stripes on Monday, March 2.

-- Tristan Muyumba starts his second match of the 2026 regular season. The French midfielder had a historic passing day in Atlanta United's Home Opener, completing 103 attempts on the evening. That total is the fifth-most in club history and the most since Greg Garza completed 105 passes on March 18, 2017 against the Chicago Fire. 

-- Stian Gregersen, the Norwegian center back, will appear in the XI for the first time in the 2026 campaign. He has 38 total starts for Atlanta United. 

-- Atlanta United has gotten the better of Philadelphia in past home encounters. The 5-Stripes are 4-1-4 (W-L-D) in home matches against Philly, outscoring the visitors 15-7.