Tata Martino is back at the helm for the Kings of the South, and he's delivered his first starting XI back for Atlanta United's season opener at FC Cincinnati. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. ET, where we'll see a group take the pitch that looks very different to the ones of last season.
Martino, the 63-year-old Argentinian and a veteran of world football, begins the process of writing a new chapter of an already storied career. It all starts on the road against a formidable Cincinnati said that finished second in the Eastern Conference last season.
We'll see three debutants take the pitch in red and black for the very first time. Lucas Hoyos in the net, Elías Báez at fullback and Tomás Jacob will make their first appearances and starts in a competitive match for the 5-Stripes. All three Argentinians were brought in by Martino this offseason.
Ronald Hernández, Enea Mihaj and Juan Berrocal round out the defense alongside Báez. Hernández is the only player on the back line that has been with the club for more than a year. The unit will be tasked with proving they've built up enough chemistry against the likes of Evander and Kévin Denkey.
In the midfield, Jacob compliments Steven Alzate and Homegrown Cooper Sanchez. The trio has a combined 8 matches started for Atlanta United, another green position group that will grow over the course of the season. Their ability to quickly initiate counter attacks and put out fires defensively will be critical to Atlanta's early success.
Up front, the 5-Stripes have real returning firepower. Designated players Miguel Almirón and Emmanuel Latte Lath start alongside Saba Lobjanidze. The three combined for 28 goals contributions in MLS play last season, and they'll be gunning for even more in 2026.
Martino spoke Thursday about his desire for his attackers to play with freedom, and Latte Lath said the team is still in the process of "finding themselves".
Here's the full starting XI for Atlanta United at FC Cincinnati:
Lucas Hoyos, Ronald Hernández, Juan Berrocal, Enea Mihaj, Elías Báez, Tomás Jacob, Steven Alzate, Cooper Sanchez, Saba Lobjanidze, Miguel Almirón (C), Emmanuel Latte Lath
Reserves: Jayden Hibbert, Stian Gregersen, Toto Majub, Matt Edwards, Tristan Muyumba, Adrian Gill, Alexey Miranchuk, Luke Brennan, Cayman Togashi
Roster Notes:
-- Tata Martino will take charge of Atlanta United for the first time since the 5-Stripes won MLS Cup in 2018. Since then, the manager has coached with the Mexican National Team and Inter Miami CF.
-- Lucas Hoyos, Elías Báez and Tomás Jacob will make their first appearances with Atlanta United.
-- Miguel Almirón starts and assumes the captaincy. He was given the armband in the middle of the 2025 season and will continue to lead the 5-Stripes in 2026.
-- Cooper Sanchez is in line to become the youngest Atlanta United player to start a season opener in club history. At 17 years, 332 days old, he would beat out the likes of Caleb Wiley, Tyler Wolff and George Bello.
-- Emmanuel Latte Lath starts in attack for the 5-Stripes. The 2025 club-record signing scored a team-high 7 goals last season in MLS play.
-- The club signed Atlanta United 2 player Toto Majub to a Short-Term Agreement this morning. He'll be on the bench to start for the 5-Stripes.
