Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta United FC
Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta United FC
Brooks Lennon is set to make his season debut for Atlanta United in their home match against Inter Miami CF on Sunday Night Soccer, presented by Continental Tire. The American defender missed the first three matches of the season due to a shoulder injury sustained during last fall's encounter between the two teams. In that match, Atlanta United, as major underdogs, eliminated Inter Miami from the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Sunday's game will mark the first time this year that Lennon and fullback Pedro Amador appear together in the starting lineup for head coach Ronny Deila. Amador returned to play last weekend against New York Red Bulls after missing earlier matches.
For Lennon, this match represents his 200th start in his MLS regular-season career, with 137 of those starts for Atlanta United. He is also on the brink of achieving another milestone: one more assist will tie him with Julian Gressel as Atlanta United's all-time leader in assists.
Atlanta United's starting lineup includes Brad Guzan as captain, alongside Brooks Lennon, Stian Gregersen, Derrick Williams, Pedro Amador, Bartosz Slisz, Tristan Muyumba, Alexey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirón, Saba Lobjanidze, and Emmanuel Latte Lath. The reserves are Josh Cohen, Luis Abram, Noah Cobb, Matt Edwards, Jay Fortune, Edwin Mosquera, Will Reilly, Xande Silva and Cayman Togashi.
Inter Miami CF's starting lineup features Rocco Ríos Novo in goal and Lionel Messi as captain. Other starters include Gonzalo Luján, Maximiliano Falcón, Noah Allen, Jordi Alba, Yannick Bright, Sergio Busquets,Tadeo Allende,Telasco Segovia,and Luis Suárez. Their reserves are Drake Callender Leo Afonso Tomás Avilés Benjamin Cremaschi Ian Fray David Martínez Federico Redondo Santiago Morales and Fafa Picault.
Match notes indicate that Atlanta United is seeking its first goal since Edwin Mosquera scored against CF Montréal on February 22. The team has created numerous chances this season and ranks tied for third in MLS for shots on goal with 19 total. Miguel Almirón is close to moving up to second place all-time in scoring for the club while Cayman Togashi aims for his first goal with Atlanta United after making his debut last weekend.
Atlanta holds an all-time series record of 7-5-4 against Inter Miami in MLS play including both regular season and playoffs. Five of these victories have been at home where they have outscored Miami 15-8. Notably former Atlanta player Rocco Ríos Novo will start as goalkeeper for Inter Miami.