Atlanta United’s Leagues Cup Finale at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta United will close out its 2025 Leagues Cup campaign on Wednesday, August 6 at 7:30 p.m. ET, hosting Atlas FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. While the Five Stripes are already eliminated from advancing to the knockout round, the match presents a valuable opportunity for new and young players to step into the spotlight.
The 5-Stripes opened the tournament with back-to-back losses against Necaxa and Pumas, and with another MLS match looming on Saturday in Montréal, Wednesday’s lineup is expected to feature rotations and fresh faces.
Read our recap of Atlanta United’s match vs Pumas →
Opportunities for Emerging Talent
Assistant coach Kenny Miller will manage the team on the sideline, as head coach Ronny Deila serves a one-match suspension following his red card against Pumas. Miller confirmed that the starting lineup will likely feature younger players and recent signings as the team balances rest and development.
Atlanta United’s Availability Report (Aug. 5):
- Pedro Amador – Hamstring (Out)
- Matt Edwards – Hamstring (Out)
- Jay Fortune – Foot (Out)
The spotlight is on several new and homegrown players:
- Cooper Sanchez (17) – Homegrown midfielder could make his professional debut, having impressed with Atlanta United 2 all season.
- Nyk Sessock (25) – Signed a short-term deal from ATL UTD 2; made 20+ minutes of impact vs Pumas and will push for more minutes.
- Will Reilly – Homegrown midfielder with eight appearances and three starts; praised by coaches for energy and defensive work.
“Those guys that have been knocking on the door, looking for minutes, looking for starts—it gives you a chance to give them that opportunity to go and start a game in front of this amazing stadium and their own fans,” Miller said.
New Signings Waiting in the Wings
Atlanta United has made six acquisitions during the MLS Secondary Transfer Window, but only Enea Mihaj has debuted so far. The others—Steven Alzate, Juan Berrocal, and Leo Afonso—could soon make appearances and are expected to bring depth across all three phases of the pitch:
- Enea Mihaj (CB) – Debuted July 26; poised to help strengthen the backline.
- Steven Alzate (CM) – Midfielder from Hull City; brings European experience and technical quality.
- Juan Berrocal (CB) – Pending debut; will bolster central defense upon clearance.
- Leo Afonso (Forward) – On the bench for recent matches, offering attacking versatility.
See our breakdown of Atlanta United’s transfer window moves →
A Familiar Face Returns: Gonzalo Pineda
Former Atlanta United head coach Gonzalo Pineda returns to Mercedes-Benz Stadium—this time in the visitors’ technical area with Atlas FC. Pineda managed Atlanta from August 2021 to June 2024 and now faces his former club in a match with pride on the line, as Atlas is also eliminated from knockout contention.
Assistant coach Kenny Miller emphasized the importance of the match despite tournament elimination:
“We want to win the game first and foremost,” Miller said. “It’s important going towards the last 10 league games that we can try to build some momentum and positivity heading towards the end of the season.”
What This Means for the Five Stripes
- Youth Showcase: Homegrown players and ATL UTD 2 standouts have a chance to impress in front of home fans.
- Building Momentum: Even without knockout stakes, a strong performance can boost confidence before MLS play resumes.
- Fan Engagement: Supporters at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will get a first look at Atlanta’s next generation of talent.
“Every opportunity is a big opportunity for me,” said Will Reilly. “You switch off for one second, and good players punish you.”
Next Steps for Fans
- Match Time: Wednesday, Aug. 6, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
- Next MLS Match: Saturday at CF Montréal
Even with elimination confirmed, expect intensity, pride, and developmental focus when the 5-Stripes face Atlas FC.
Your Turn: Which young player are you most excited to see in Atlanta United’s Leagues Cup finale? Share your thoughts below or join the conversation on social media using #ATLUTD and #LeaguesCup!
