The 5-Stripes begin their Leagues Cup participation with some changes to the lineup.
Ronny Deila will make one change to his Starting XI for the first Leagues Cup match of the season, compared to the team that lined up last Saturday against Seattle Sounders for the MLS Regular Season. Jamal Thiaré will be the sole striker replacing Emmanuel Latte Lath, making his fourth start this season and the first one after the away match vs New York City FC. Thiaré has scored three goals so far in MLS competition, and this will be his first time starting in Leagues Cup, following two matches he played last year coming in as a susbtitue.
Atlanta United’s newcomers, defender Enea Mihaj and forward Leo Afonso, are part of the roster which for Leagues Cup includes a total of 22 players.
Here’s the full starting XI for Atlanta United vs Leagues Cup:
- GK: Brad Guzan
- DEF: Ronald Hernández, Stian Gregersen, Derrick William, Pedro Amador
- MED: Bartosz Slisz, Tristan Muyumba, Alexey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirón (C), Luke Brennan
- FOR: Jamal Thiaré
- Reserves: Josh Cohen, Jay Hibbert, Leo Afonso, Dom Chong Qui, Emmanuel Latte Lath, Brooks Lennon, Saba Lobjanidze, Enea Mihaj, Will Reilly, Cooper Sanchez, Cayman Togashi
Roster Notes:
— This is the first time Atlanta and Necaxa face each other.
— Atlanta has played 9 times against Liga MX teams in official competitions in the club’s history. They hold a 4-3-2 (W-L-T) record in those 9 previous matches.
— Atlanta United has never won a Leagues Cup match. The team is 0-1-3 in the previous four matches played (lost all three draws on penalties.
— Leo Afonso makes the roster for the first time since joining Atlanta United this week in a trade with Inter Miami CF.
— Miguel Almirón has scored 25 goals in all competitions for ATL UTD in his career. Only Josef Martínez (111) and Thiago Almada (26) have scored more goals in all competitions for ATL UTD in club history.
— Miguel Almirón moved into 3rd all-time on the ATL UTD assist list with his 36th assist in all competitions for ATL UTD. Only Brooks Lennon (40), Julian Gressel (39) have recorded more assists in all competitions for ATL UTD in club history.
— Brooks Lennon made his 250th MLS Regular Season appearance last time out against Seattle (ATL UTD + Real Salt Lake)
— Derrick Williams has made 49 appearances in all competitions for ATL UTD. He needs just one more to reach 50.
— Atlanta United have scored 4 goals all-time in Leagues Cup play. Former striker Daniel Rios leads the career list with 2 goals. Saba Lobjanidze and Thiago Almada have scored 1 in the club’s Leagues Cup history.
— Atlanta ranks 5th in MLS Regular Season play with 446 crosses played. Philadelphia Union lead the league with 577.
— Atlanta continues to convert clear-cut chances at a high rate. They rank T-6th in MLS with a 71.4% oconversion rate on clear-cut chances this season coming into Leagues Cup.
— Atlanta is taking 11.5 shots/90 this season. They just came off a match with 13 shots against Seattle. The team’s season-high in shots is 19 against Charlotte on July 19.
— Atlanta ranks 4th in Aerial Duel Win Percentage at 53.6% (according to fbref.com). San Diego FC leads the league at 56.0% as MLS teams enter Leagues Cup
