Atlanta welcomes D.C. United following breakthrough win

Atlanta United hope to build on some newfound confidence when they face visiting D.C. United on Saturday evening ahead of the FIFA international break.

Miguel Almiron assisted on all three goals last Saturday as Atlanta (1-3-0, 3 points) beat the Philadelphia Union 3-1 to win for the first time this season. Emmanuel Latte Lath scored for the first time since August, Tomas Jacob tallied his first MLS goal and Alexey Miranchuk found the net for the third time in two matches.

The win served as the most tangible example yet of Atlanta's adaptation to the tactics of head coach Tata Martino. The process is far from complete, he noted.

"I think the important thing is that we're continuing to insist on the way we want to play and how we want to build out," Martino said. "Even if we make a mistake, we know that we just have to continue with the same bravery and same intention to play."

D.C. United (2-2-0, 6 points) snapped a two-match losing streak in their last outing, coming from behind to beat the Chicago Fire 2-1 as Tai Baribo converted a penalty in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time.

"I had the feeling that we had the better chances in the first half to score and open the score ourselves, but at the end I'm happy for the win and from my perspective, well deserved," D.C. head coach Rene Weiler said.

Baribo, who scored 16 times for Philadelphia in 2025 before being traded in the offseason, has three of D.C.'s four goals through four matches.

Aaron Herrera and Louis Munteanu are dealing with leg injuries and will be out Saturday, per Weiler.

--Field Level Media