Starting XI and roster notes: Luke Brennan given a chance against New York City FC

Head coach Tata Martino said he and his staff expected absences during FIFA's international window. With gaps throughout a starting XI that has kept two consecutive clean sheets and is fresh off a road win, Atlanta United looks down the roster and gets inventive with positioning. 

Luke Brennan will start in attack, as the young Homegrown gets a chance to make a difference in his 10th career start. He'll be alongside Breel Embolo up front, hungry to get on the score sheet in front of the 17s at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 

In the midfield, one 5-Stripe will have extra attacking responsibilities. The group contains Cooper Sanchez, Tristan Muyumba, Mauricio Amaro and Giuliano Galoppo — and with Martino's insistence this season on putting out a 4-3-3 formation, it's possible one them will roam forward. 

But perhaps defense is where things will look the newest for the 5-Stripes. Tomás Jacob fills in at center back while Matt Edwards looks to continue bright form at right back. Elías Báez returns in his familiar left back spot with Enea Mihaj rounding out the defense. Lucas Hoyos starts in between the sticks to round things out. 

Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United vs New York City FC:

Lucas Hoyos (C), Matt Edwards, Tomás Jacob, Enea Mihaj, Elías Báez, Tristan Muyumba, Mauricio Amaro, Giuliano Galoppo, Cooper Sanchez, Luke Brennan, Breel Embolo

Reserves: Jayden Hibbert, Daniel Chica, Will Reilly, Adrian Gill, Jay Fortune, Cameron Dunbar, Sergio Santos, Cayman Togashi

Roster Notes:

-- Luke Brennan starts up front as one of four changes in the starting XI from last weekend in Portland. The 5-Stripes haven't made more changes to the lineup from one match to another since May 2 against CF Montréal. 

-- Breel Embolo starts up front, a steady presence for the 5-Stripes since his arrival into the lineup at the beginning of the month. Since his debut Sept. 5, Embolo ranks fifth in MLS in duels won with 28. He also has 16 fouls won in that timeframe, tied for second-most in MLS since 2010 for a player in his first four matches.  

-- Giuliano Galoppo, Atlanta United's loan signing from River plate, is prepared to make his home debut in a start. 

-- Jay Fortune begins on the bench for Saturday night. The Trinidadian national is one appearance away from tying Caleb Wiley as Atlanta United's all-time leader in caps by a Homegrown player. 

-- Atlanta United will be without five players tonight due to the international window. Miguel Almirón, Alexey Miranchuk, Júnior Alonso, Paulo Díaz and Fafa Picault are out representing their countries. 

-- Daniel Chica, Cameron Dunbar and Matthew Senanou join the squad up from Atlanta United 2 on Short-Term Agreements. The three all have their chance to make MLS debuts tonight.

-- The 5-Stripes won a 4-3 thriller in this fixture against NYCFC last season, rescuing three points from down 3-1.