Matías Galarza will make his first career start for Atlanta United as the team faces Philadelphia Union, according to a March 14 announcement. The Paraguayan midfielder, signed less than two weeks ago from River Plate in Argentina, joins the starting lineup as head coach Tata Martino makes two changes from the previous match.
Galarza’s inclusion is seen as a key move for Atlanta United, which is seeking its first win of the season. The team will also see Stian Gregersen making his first start of the 2026 campaign. The midfield will feature Galarza alongside Cooper Sanchez and Tristan Muyumba, while Alexey Miranchuk leads the attack after scoring twice in the last match against Real Salt Lake.
The full starting XI includes Lucas Hoyos, Tomás Jacob, Stian Gregersen, Enea Mihaj, Elías Báez, Tristan Muyumba, Matías Galarza, Cooper Sanchez, Alexey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirón (captain), and Emmanuel Latte Lath. Reserves are Jayden Hibbert, Ronald Hernández, Pedro Amador, Matt Edwards, Steven Alzate, Fafa Picault, Cayman Togashi, Sergio Santos and Saba Lobjanidze.
Miranchuk enters his second consecutive start after scoring his first Major League Soccer brace in Atlanta’s last home opener. This continues a trend where an Atlanta player has scored at least two goals in each of the past four home openers. Seventeen-year-old Cooper Sanchez starts for a fourth straight match and recently became both the youngest player to start a season opener and one of the youngest to earn a goal contribution for Atlanta United.
Miguel Almirón approaches club records with 35 assists and needs two more to tie Brooks Lennon for most assists in regular season history. Tristan Muyumba completed 103 passes in the home opener—fifth-most in club history—while Gregersen returns to the starting lineup with 38 total starts for Atlanta United.
Atlanta United FC operates from Atlanta, Georgia according to its official website. The club participates as a Major League Soccer team in the Eastern Conference according to its official website and achieved wins in major competitions including MLS Cup (2018), U.S. Open Cup (2019), and Campeones Cup (2019) according to its official website. In past home matches against Philadelphia Union, Atlanta holds a record of four wins, one loss and four draws while outscoring their opponents 15-7.
