Atlanta United's enforcer is back just in time for a match that always seems to be a battle.
Tomás Jacob returns to the starting lineup for the 5-Stripes when they take on Philadelphia Union Saturday night. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Subaru Park, where two teams in need of points in the Eastern Conference standings will square off.
The Argentinian defender and midfielder will join a first-time starting XI in Philly as Tata Martino and his staff deal with injuries and players away on international duty. Atlanta United will appreciate his physical presence out there against a Philadelphia team that is playing revitalized football under new manager Ryan Richter.
Lucas Hoyos starts in the net, supported by Matt Edwards, Júnior Alonso, Enea Mihaj and Elías Báez on the backline.
Tristan Muyumba and Will Reilly are the only true midfielders to start Saturday night, although we'll see what spaces Jacob ends up finding himself in as the match progresses.
In attack, it's the same group from last weekend. Captain Miguel Almirón has scored in two consecutive matches, and he joins Alexey Miranchuk and Fafa Picault in the front three.
Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United at Philadelphia Union:
Lucas Hoyos, Matt Edwards, Júnior Alonso, Enea Mihaj, Elías Báez, Tomás Jacob, Will Reilly, Tristan Muyumba, Alexey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirón (C), Fafa Picault
Reserves: Jayden Hibbert, Ronald Hernández, Stian Gregersen, Toto Majub, Adrian Gill, Adyn Torres, Luke Brennan, Cayman Togashi, Arif Kovac
Roster Notes:
-- Tomás Jacob returns from a yellow-card suspension to start his 15th match of the season. The Argentinian has played in a variety of positions, including right back, center back and holding midfielder.
-- Miguel Almirón starts and captains the 5-Stripes after having represented Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. The designated player has scored in two consecutive matches.
-- Almirón recently became the first Atlanta United player to tally at least 30 goals and 30 assists in all competitions with the club. He found the back of the net against New England Revolution in the second half last weekend.
-- Atlanta United is fourth in MLS in successful long passes coming into Saturday night's match. The 5-Stripes have connected on 350 longballs this season.
-- The club announced today it signed Arif Kovac and Toto Majub to Short-Term Agreements earlier this week. The two Atlanta United 2 players will be available on the bench.
-- Tonight's match will be the seventh consecutive road match in all competitions for Atlanta United, the longest such run by a US-based MLS team since Nashville had to play its first eight games on the road in 2022.
-- Atlanta United's Friday availability report listed four players out for tonight's match, including Jay Fortune, Cooper Sanchez, Paulo Díaz and Sergio Santos.
