Atlanta United will host LA Galaxy on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET, with Miguel Almirón listed as questionable because of knee irritation and the club chasing a fourth consecutive win. Gonzalo Pineda Martino said Friday that Almirón trained inside, worked individually and then joined the group, but said the team was still deciding whether to play him or wait another week.
Almirón has not played since he came off in Atlanta United’s April 15 U.S. Open Cup match, and his status is the main personnel issue heading into a game that closes out the club’s final home date before the Summer of Soccer and international competition. Sergio Santos is back in match eligibility after missing time with a calf issue, while Ronald Hernández is questionable with an abdominal injury and Steven Alzate continues to nurse an adductor.
Atlanta United’s attack has carried the team through the recent run, and Alexey Miranchuk is the centerpiece of that form with seven goal contributions in MLS play. He had a brace of assists against CF Montréal, and Martino has pointed to the responsibility he has taken inside the group. Stian Gregersen said Miranchuk is taking on more responsibility, talking to people more and scoring, while Miranchuk said he has started to push himself to speak in the locker room to give teammates courage.
Martino has also highlighted the club’s younger players, including Cooper Sanchez, who signed his First Team contract in August of 2025. The coach said Sanchez has qualities that are not usually seen in players that young, noting his maturity and saying he has the characteristics Atlanta likes in a midfielder, even at 17 and 18 years old.
Saturday night also brings a separate meeting between Atlanta United and LA Galaxy’s Unified teams for their season opener, adding another layer to a home date that carries more than one spotlight. The main one is still the league match, where Atlanta faces a Western Conference opponent with dangerous attacking options and the chance to extend a winning run that has changed the feel around the club.
