Atlanta United is getting a key cog in head coach Tata Martino's system back just in time for a rivalry bout. Fullback Tomás Jacob returns from a lower leg injury to start as the 5-Stripes face Charlotte FC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Round of 16 fixture is set to kick off at 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network and Paramount Plus.
Jacob's motor, evident by his willingness to run the length of the pitch to make overlapping runs and recover on defense, will be critical as his side faces the fifth-place side in the Eastern Conference currently. Joining the fullback in defense will be Juan Berrocal, Enea Mihaj, Elías Báez and Lucas Hoyos. Mihaj returns to the XI after getting a rest against Toronto FC over the weekend.
In the middle of the park, Will Reilly will start alongside Jay Fortune and Matías Galarza. Fortune is the only one of the three who started in Canada last Saturday.
Up front, Fafa Picault and Luke Brennan flank captain Alexey Miranchuk, who should occupy a deeper-lying striker role like he's done in previous matches. Picault scored and Brennan assisted in Atlanta United's Round of 32 win over Chattanooga FC. The 5-Stripes will look to carry over their goalscoring from the weekend into the cup fixture, having picked up three points with a 2-1 win.
Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United at Charlotte FC:
Jayden Hibbert, Tomás Jacob, Juan Berrocal, Enea Mihaj, Elías Báez, Will Reilly, Jay Fortune, Matías Galarza, Luke Brennan, Fafa Picault, Alexey Miranchuk (C)
Reserves: Lucas Hoyos, Pedro Amador, Ronald Hernández, Cooper Sanchez, Tristan Muyumba, Emmanuel Latte Lath, Saba Lobjanidze
Roster Notes:
-- Alexey Miranchuk captains the 5-Stripes for the fifth match in a row after making his 50th appearance for the club in MLS regular season play Wednesday night against New England Revolution. The forward has scored a team-high 5 goals this season.
-- Tomás Jacob is available for the first time in three matches according to the club's availability report Monday. The right back has started eight matches for the 5-Stripes this season.
-- Fafa Picault starts for the second time in this U.S. Open Cup campaign. The veteran forward scored for the 5-Stripes against Chattanooga FC Wednesday, April 15.
-- Luke Brennan will make his second consecutive start. The Atlanta United Homegrown from the 404 made 6 starts in 14 appearances in MLS play for the 5-Stripes last season.
-- This will be the first meeting between rivals Atlanta United and Charlotte FC in a cup competition.
-- Miguel Almirón was listed as unavailable on Monday's availability report. Atlanta United's number 10 is dealing with knee irritation after coming off in the club's match against Chattanooga. Tata Martino did say the Paraguayan is working to return for Saturday's match against CF Montréal.
