Starting XI and roster notes: Tata Martino rotates squad as 5-Stripes embark on U.S. Open Cup journey

A midweek match in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup sees Atlanta United rotate its squad, with six players making their first starts of the 2026 season. The 5-Stripes are ready for their Round of 32 matchup against neighbors Chattanooga FC with a lineup of new faces. The match is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Paramount Plus.

After the club released its availability report Tuesday with five listed players as either out or questionable, head coach Tata Martino and his staff chose to rotate nearly the entire starting XI. 

Jayden Hibbert, the 21-year-old goalkeeper, makes his first in the net of the 2026 season. In front of him will be a back four featuring Ronald Hernández, Juan Berrocal, Matt Edwards and Pedro Amador, with the first two being the only players in the defense to start a match this season for the 5-Stripes. 

In the midfield, Matías Galarza is the returning starter, accompanied by Homegrowns Will Reilly and Jay Fortune. Fortune's start marks his first in his return from a lengthy rehab from the season-ending foot injury he sustained in June 2025. 

Up front, Alexey Miranchuk returns to the starting XI after missing Atlanta United's weekend match. Fafa Picault, the MLS veteran forward, makes his first start for the 5-Stripes, and Cayman Togashi notches his first for the club as well. Togashi will get a real chance to shine as a starter, having made eight appearances for the club as a substitute. 

Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United at Chattanooga FC:

Jayden Hibbert, Matt Edwards, Ronald Hernández, Juan Berrocal, Pedro Amador, Will Reilly, Jay Fortune, Matías Galarza, Fafa Picault, Cayman Togashi, Alexey Miranchuk (C)

Reserves: Lucas Hoyos, Elías Báez, Tomás Jacob, Tristan Muyumba, Cooper Sanchez, Luke Brennan, Miguel Almirón

Roster Notes:

-- Six players will make their first start of the season: Jayden Hibbert, Matt Edwards, Pedro Amador, Jay Fortune, Fafa Picault and Cayman Togashi. 

-- Jay Fortune returns to the starting lineup for the first time in nearly a year. The midfielder suffered a season-ending foot injury in June of last season and made his first appearance back against Columbus Crew on 404 Day. 

-- Cayman Togashi starts in the attack for the 5-Stripes, his first appearance in the XI in his Atlanta United career. The forward was signed at the beginning of the 2025 season.

-- Jayden Hibbert makes his first start of the 2026 season. The goalkeeper from Teaneck, New Jersey impressed in eight starts fot the 5-Stripes last season, earning an MLS Team of the Matchday shout for Matchday 31. 

-- Alexey Miranchuk is back in the starting XI after missing the 5-Stripes last match and will assume the captaincy with Miguel Almirón on the bench. The forward has scored 4 goals this season. 

-- This is the second time Atlanta United has faced Chattanooga FC in a competitive match, with the first being a 6-0 win in 2022. The two teams have played in friendly matches before as well, most recently during the 2025 preseason.