Starting XI and roster notes: Miguel Almirón, 5-Stripes return to MLS play against Nashville SC

It's a return to the pitch for Atlanta United and a return to the starting XI for their number 10. Miguel Almirón, fresh off a World Cup campaign with his home country of Paraguay, starts and captains the 5-Stripes Friday night. They'll face a Southern Showdown matchup with Nashville SC at 8 p.m. ET at GEODIS Park, a challenge against the first-place team in the Eastern Conference. 

The league break gave head coach Tata Martino and his staff time to audit the first 14 matches of the season. Now, we get to see what they've put together for their club's return to league play. 

Throughout the last couple weeks of preparation, the club has made some moves, including bringing in two veteran defenders in Júnior Alonso and Paulo Díaz. The two were listed as unavailable for Friday night, though, as they're still getting their visas situated. 

With those two out and Stian Gregersen questionable per Thursday's availability report, Martino went to a less-likely candidate in defense. Alongside the expected center back Enea Mihaj is Tomás Jacob, who has played right back and defensive midfielder for the 5-Stripes this season. A player often praised for his versatility, Martino confidently named him as the second center back during media availability yesterday.

In goal behind those two is the Argentinian Lucas Hoyos, and flanking the center backs are fullbacks Matt Edwards and Elías Báez. 

In the midfield, it's the experienced Frenchman Tristan Muyumba alongside a pair of Homegrown talent, Cooper Sanchez and Jay Fortune. The trio have a fair few minutes under their belt playing together this season, and they'll go on to. 

In attack, Almirón returns to the front three with youngster Luke Brennan and designated player Alexey Miranchuk. Atlanta United's leading contributor this season could start the match as a false nine, with Brennan and Almirón holding down the wings. That's how Martino had Miranchuk aligned in the club's 3-2 friendly match win over Sporting Kansas City July 9, and it's possible the same will be true Friday night.  

Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United at Nashville SC:

Lucas Hoyos, Matt Edwards, Tomás Jacob, Enea Mihaj, Elías Báez, Tristan Muyumba, Jay Fortune, Cooper Sanchez, Luke Brennan, Alexey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirón (C) 

Reserves: Jayden Hibbert, Pedro Amador, Ronald Hernández, Adrian Gill, Ignacio Suarez-Couri, Will Reilly, Fafa Picault, Emmanuel Latte Lath, Cayman Togashi

Roster Notes:

-- Miguel Almirón returns to Atlanta United's starting lineup for the first time since April 11. He'll captain the 5-Stripes after having represented Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. 

-- Alexey Miranchuk starts in the front three, his 12th start of the season. The designated player leads the team with 7 goal contributions in MLS play this season. 

-- Cooper Sanchez, the 18-year-old Homegrown, starts his 13th match of the MLS regular season. The midfielder was recently selected to the United States U-19 Men's National Team's squad for the 2026 Concacaf U-20 Championship.

-- Tomás Jacob makes his first start as a center back for the 5-Stripes this season. The Argentinian has started every match he's featured in this season, and tonight is set to be his 13th appearance in MLS play. 

-- The club announced yesterday it signed Ignacio Suarez-Couri to a Short-Term Agreement, and the academy product will be available off the bench. 

-- Tonight's starting XI is the youngest of the season for Atlanta United, with an average age of 26 years and 79 days.

-- Both teams Friday night are used to holding the ball, as Atlanta United is ninth in MLS with an average of 52.7% possession — Nashville's 54.2% is good for 6th in MLS. 

-- Atlanta United's last match at GEODIS Park was an upset 1-0 win over their Southern rivals Aug. 30, 2025. All time, the 5-Stripes are 4-5-5 (W-L-D) against the Boys in Gold.