Miguel Almirón and Atlanta United's other international representatives are back in the A, and not a moment too soon. The 5-Stripes face another firey opponent in FC Cincinnati, and the match presents yet another consequential matchup for playoff qualifications.
The weekend matchup will continue on to its 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff amidst weather conditions in Atlanta. Learn more about safety for Saturday's match here.
Almirón and head coach Tata Martino gave their words of encouragement during Thursday media availability as the 5-Stripes begin the first of seven matches to end their season and keep their ambitions alive.
"I think the group is confident, and we also know the situation we're in," Almirón said in Spanish Thursday. "We know the responsibility that these upcoming matches carry, and the objective is to win all the matches in order to qualify for the playoffs."
Work during the break
Tristan Muyumba and Enea Mihaj gave their take on how the break went for the 5-Stripes who stayed in Atlanta during the international window.
"It was more about refining some stuff we've been [doing] through the season," Muyumba said Tuesday, "to create more, to keep the rhythm and to add some habits to our shape and everything."
Especially during the second half of the season, a turnaround fueled by new signings has seen the 5-Stripes creating chances and stringing together good performances. Chance creation has been a strong suit, and Mihaj said Martino praised the team's increased understanding of their buildup.
What they'll need down the stretch is conversion, not just from chances to goals but from goals into wins.
"We insist a lot on some details that we need to improve in the end, not only playing good but getting the three points," Mihaj said Tuesday. "That is the main target right now because the time and the games are few and we trying to get a spot in the playoffs."
Part of that equation could be solved by continuing to unlock Breel Embolo. The forward has 1 goal in his first five matches with the 5-Stripes, and the squad are looking to involve him even more.
"One of the points we try to improve is crossing more in the box for him, to find him," Mihaj said. "It's not easy to get the ball 1, 2 times in the box and just score. He needs to get more balls and we need to improve on that aspect also."
Cincy a scintillating opponent, even without a key player
Sitting in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, FC Cincinnati are just outside the Wild Card spots for the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs but tied on points with eighth and ninth place. Atlanta United is six points behind them, instantly making Saturday's contest a true six-pointer.
The Orange and Blue will be without star designated player Evander, according to their head coach Pat Noonan Thursday.
Martino kept it simple Thursday, saying with Evander, Cincinnati are better and without him, they're worse.
But one player's absence won't change the overall mission of the visitors. FC Cincinnati will look to get out and run, especially with forward Kévin Denkey, who has 19 goal contributions this season. The transition game has been a pain point for Atlanta United this season, and their ability to dictate the tempo Saturday night will be crucial for that reason.
"There is a way Cincinnati plays that tempts the opponent to play a back-and-forth match," Martino said. "What we have to try to do is play in a way that suits us ... not give them the opportunity to put together a match to their liking, which is a blow-for-blow game."
Almirón's return to the squad — along with other key starters in Alexey Miranchuk, Júnior Alonso and Paulo Díaz — will be a boost for a 5-Stripes team that finally feels like they have all their pieces in place. The Paraguayan number 10 said he enjoyed his time on international break, where he scored a brace against Bolivia in a friendly.
Returning to his captaincy role, Almirón is tasked with leading an improbable yet still possible charge for the playoffs.
"We have to keep fighting, we have to keep working until the end, that when that arrives, in the end it bears fruit," Almirón said. "Those who work, those who are humble, in the end you learn and you improve. We know we had a difficult year, but I think the team is improving. I trust my teammates a lot, and as I always say, the club and the Atlanta fans also deserve that we are better."
