Starting XI and roster notes: Atlanta United hosts D.C. United to open Leagues Cup

Atlanta United substitutes

Brad Guzan, Quentin Westberg, Luis Abram, Pedro Amador, Luke Brennan, Matt Edwards, Nick Firmino, Dax McCarty, Efraín Morales, Edwin Mosquera, Jamal Thiaré, Tyler Wolff

Roster Notes

• Ronald Hernández gets the captain’s armband Friday.
• Josh Cohen earns the start at goalkeeper for Atlanta United. He made his club debut earlier this year in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
• Center back Stian Gregersen scored both goals in Atlanta United’s come-from-behind 2-1 win over defending MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew. The league awarded him with Team of the Matchday honors.
• Saba Lobjanidze is one goal away from 10 or more goal contributions for the club in all competitions. He assisted both Gregersen goals against the Crew.
• Saba and Daniel Ríos are co-leaders for Atlanta United in scoring this season. They both appear in the starting XI.
• Atlanta United is looking for its first-ever win in Leagues Cup. Last year in the inaugural tournament, Atlanta United did not advance out of group stage. Last year, Atlanta’s group included Inter Miami CF (MLS) and Cruz Azul (Liga MX).

Player Availability

• Atlanta United interim head coach Rob Valentino has a full squad healthy and just one rostered player away on international duty.

What is Leagues Cup?

Leagues Cup is an annual, World-Cup style tournament featuring all of the clubs in MLS and Liga MX. This year’s competition runs July 26-August 25.

Friday is the first group stage match for Atlanta United. The club was drawn into group East 7 along with D.C. United (MLS) and Santos Laguna (Liga MX). Both matches will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The top two teams from the group, as determined by points, will move on to the single-elmination knockout stage.

What happens in Leagues Cup when there’s a tie in regulation? It will be decided in a penalty shootout. Read more about the tournament format and rules here.