Starting XI and roster notes: Saba Lobjanidze, Matías Galarza to start in Chicago

Two impactful 5-Stripes are fixing to return to the starting lineup as Atlanta United gears up for its first road match in over a month. Saba Lobjanidze will slot into the attack, and Matías Galarza is slated to start in the midfield for the 8:30 p.m. ET kickoff against Chicago Fire Saturday night. 

Head coach Tata Martino made it clear during this week's media availability that his staff would consider changes to the starting XI after a loss at home last weekend, and here we have them. Lobjanidze will have the chance to make his mark on his third start of the 2026 season alongside captain Miguel Almirón and Emmanuel Latte Lath.

In the midfield, the young phenom Cooper Sanchez and the Paraguayan Matías Galarza both reenter the fold alongside Tristan Muyumba. Behind them, the same back four and goalkeeper from the last four matches return. Lucas Hoyos starts, and in front of him will be Tomás Jacob, Elías Báez, Stian Gregersen and Enea Mihaj. Báez and other spoke this week about how defensive organization and accountability will be a focus for the 5-Stripes heading into the Chicago match. 

Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United at Chicago Fire:

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

Reserves: Jayden Hibbert, Ronald Hernández, Juan Berrocal, Pedro Amador, Matt Edwards, Steven Alzate, Jay Fortune, Luke Brennan, Cayman Togashi

Roster Notes:

-- Saba Lobjanidze is in line to start his third match of the 2026 season. It would be the winger's 61st start for the club in his career. 

-- Matías Galarza returns to the XI after missing Atlanta United's last match while out getting his visa sorted. The Paraguayan midfielder was signed on a loan deal March 2 and has made three appearances for the 5-Stripes this season. 

-- Miguel Almirón is readying to make his 100th MLS regular season appearance. The Atlanta United captain has tallied 3 assists so far this season and holds the club assists record after breaking it against Philadelphia Union March 14. 

-- Cooper Sanchez, the newly 18-year-old midfielder, returns to the starting lineup for his sixth start of the season. The 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. 

-- Atlanta United comes into the match sixth in MLS in completed passes with 2845 in their 2026 MLS campaign. The 5-Stripes have averaged an 85.8% completion percentage in the regular season.

-- Atlanta United is 8-6-4 (W-L-D) all time against Chicago Fire. The 5-Stripes' last win on the road against the Fire came under Tata Martino in 2018.

-- Alexey Miranchuk was a late scratch with an injury Saturday evening and is not fit for the match.