Atlanta United travels north to Canada to face CF Montréal, a team the 5-Stripes already beat in the home opener back in February by a score of 3-2.
Stade Saputo is a familiar venue for Atlanta United. Montréal’s stadium is the place where last October Atlanta played the Round One of the MLS Cup Playoffs, and after a 2-2 draw, the 5-Stripes managed to advance by winning in the penalty shootouts by 5-4. Seven out of today’s Starting XI also featured from the go that time, including Brooks Lennon and Stian Gregersen who scored the two goals for Atlanta.
While the base of that team which played in Montréal almost a year ago is the same, Ronny Deila’s side has a few more options in attack this time around, with Emmanuel Latte Lath and Miguel Almirón leading the attack. Both players have struggled in recent matchdays, Latte Lath scored two of the goals against Montréal last February, while Almirón set up an assist to seal the victory that time around.
Newcomers Steven Alzate and Juan Berrocal are available and on the bench tonight for Deila’s side. Alzate, a dynamic central midfielder, who just joined the club on a transfer from English side Hull City makes the roster for the first time after obtaining his work visa. The English-born Colombian is expected to feature in tonight’s match.
Following a great performance last Wednesday in Atlanta’s 4-1 win vs Atlas FC in the Leagues Cup, Cayman Togashi makes the bench on top of Jamal Thiaré, who is not available for selection tonight due to a calf injury. Nyk Sessock and fellow Homegrown Luke Brennan, who had a standout match on Wednesday, are also on the bench with the possibility of adding attack by the wings for Deila.
One of the most interesting inlusions in today’s Starting XI is Enea Mihaj who makes his first start in the MLS Regular Season for the 5-Stripes in defense. The Albanian center back started in the Leagues Cup loss vs Pumas last weekend and has only played 24 minutes as a substitue in Atlanta’s 2-2 draw vs Seattle back in July.
Here’s the full starting XI for Atlanta United in their visit to Montréal:
- GK: Brad Guzan
- DEF: Ronald Hernández, Stian Gregersen, Enea Mihaj, Brooks Lennon
- MED: Bartosz Slisz, Tristan Muyumba, Alexey Miranchuk
- FOR: Saba Lobjanidze, Miguel Almirón (c), Emmanuel Latte Lath
Reserves: Jayden Hibbert, Leo Afonso, Steven Alzate, Juan Berrocal, Luke Brennan, Nyk Sessock, Will Reilly, Cayman Togashi, Derrick Williams
