Knockout soccer has arrived, and Tata Martino is rolling the dice with depth. As Atlanta United steps into the cauldron of Finley Stadium tonight for the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32, they do so with a lineup that looks vastly different from the one that battled in Chicago last weekend.
With a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on Paramount+, the 5-Stripes are prioritizing squad management after a physical month, handing six players their first starts of the 2026 season. It’s a “Next Man Up” manifesto as Atlanta looks to avoid a “cupset” against a hungry Chattanooga FC side.
The New-Look Spine: Hibbert and Fortune Return
The most emotional storyline of the night is the return of Jay Fortune to the starting XI. After a grueling rehab process following a season-ending foot injury in June 2025, the Homegrown midfielder is finally back where he belongs. Following a sharp cameo on 404 Day, tonight marks his first start in nearly a year.
Between the posts, 21-year-old Jayden Hibbert gets his first nod of 2026. Hibbert was a revelation last season, earning an MLS Team of the Matchday shout during the 2025 stretch run, and his distribution will be key to breaking Chattanooga’s expected low block.
The Tactical Shift: Veteran Grit Meets Fresh Legs
With Miguel Almirón starting on the bench, the captain’s armband passes to Alexey Miranchuk. After being a late scratch in Chicago, Miranchuk’s return is a massive boost for an attack that has been searching for its clinical edge.
- Picault’s First Look: MLS veteran Fafa Picault earns his first start in a 5-Stripes kit, bringing much-needed experience to a front three that includes Cayman Togashi, who makes his first-ever start for the club after eight prior substitute appearances.
- Defensive Overhaul: The backline sees Matt Edwards and Pedro Amador making their season debuts alongside the more experienced Ronald Hernández and Juan Berrocal. This unit’s chemistry will be tested early by a Chattanooga side that scored 22 goals in their first five matches across all competitions.
Starting XI: Atlanta United at Chattanooga FC
Formation: 4-3-3
- GK: Jayden Hibbert
- DEF: Matt Edwards, Ronald Hernández, Juan Berrocal, Pedro Amador
- MID: Will Reilly, Jay Fortune, Matías Galarza
- FWD: Fafa Picault, Cayman Togashi, Alexey Miranchuk (C)
Reserves: Lucas Hoyos, Elías Báez, Tomás Jacob, Tristan Muyumba, Cooper Sanchez, Luke Brennan, Miguel Almirón.
By The Numbers: Facts & Milestones
- 6: Players making their first start of 2026 tonight.
- 4: Goals scored by Alexey Miranchuk this season, leading the squad.
- 2022: The only other time these clubs met in a competitive match (a 6-0 Atlanta win).
- 350+: Days since Jay Fortune last started a match for the first team.
Related Coverage from AtlantaSoccer.news
- The Fortune Comeback: A Timeline of Jay’s Journey from Surgery to the Starting XI
- Scouting Chattanooga: Why the “Scenic City” is the Toughest Draw in the Clint Dempsey Group
- Hibbert’s Hands: Why the 21-Year-Old is the Future of the 5-Stripes Goal
ASN Call to Action: Tata is trusting the depth tonight! Are you worried about so much rotation in a “win-or-go-home” match, or is it time to let the fresh legs lead the charge? Give us your score predictions and show some love for Jay Fortune in the comments! #ATLUTD #USOC2026 #OpenCup #UniteAndConquer #ChattanoogaFC #JayFortune #Miranchuk #TheA #SoccerNews #ASN
Meta Description: Atlanta United rotates heavily for the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 against Chattanooga FC. Jay Fortune and Jayden Hibbert return to the XI among six season debuts. #ATLUTD #OpenCup #AtlantaSoccer #SoccerNews #ChattanoogaFC
Author: Quique Lopez
Quique Lopez doesn’t just cover soccer—he deconstructs it with the precision of a veteran and the wit of a storyteller. A former player who sees the pitch as both a tactical chessboard and a cultural stage, Quique balances sharp critiques with a genuine love for the game’s soul. He’s as quick to call out the ego of a superstar as he is to find the hidden beauty in a local derby.