Off to worst start ever, Atlanta United must win on Saturday  

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At 0-3, Saturday’s meeting with the Philadelphia Union, only the fourth game of the season, has become a big game for Atlanta United. Many can argue that the match is now a must-win for manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino, midfielder Miguel Almiron (both considered club legends), and the rest of the team.

Atlanta United has never started a Major League Soccer season 0-3. Starting the 2026 season 0-4 could be cause for panic. After the loss on Saturday, Martino emphasized patience and used his time with Inter Miami as an example of what a club can become over time. 

Martino said his team improved its play from last week’s loss in San Jose. “We improved in many ways. We had a problem in the first few games; today we had a different problem,” Martino said. He called the 3-2 loss to Real Salt Lake a “giant step forward.”

Following his first game back as the manager of Atlanta United, Martino said it was “great to be back in front of the fans.” The reported attendance for the game was 53,862. The attendance for last season’s home opener was 62,520. Atlanta United has the benefit of playing its next three matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, so there is an opportunity to bring more fans into the building to support. Similar to voting numbers in Georgia midterm elections compared to presidential elections, interest tends to slip when the stakes aren’t as high.

Formerly a fortress for the Five Stripes and a den of nightmares for their opponents. The Five Stripes will host Philadelphia United (3:15 p.m.) on Saturday, followed by D.C. United on Saturday, March 21, (7:30 p.m.) and in the first week of April, with a game against the Columbus Crew on Saturday, April 4. 

17-year-old midfielder Cooper Sanchez has started all three games this season. He spoke to the media after training on Tuesday. Asked what he wanted to see on Saturday and going forward, Sanchez said a win, but even more than that.

“It’s important to get a win. The win is our forefront and our goal,” he said. “But we have to keep progressing.”

Changes in front of the net

In three matches this season, Atlanta United has allowed seven goals. First-year goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos, was brought into the team by Martino and has started all three games. Last year’s part-time starter at goalkeeper, Jayden Hibbert, was expected to be the starter this season before coaching changes put that idea to rest. 

Asked whether there will be a change in goal, Martino said he and his staff will evaluate the three losses before making any changes. The manager’s body language when posed with the question could be described as intense.

“When you lose games, people are always asking for a lot of changes,” Martino said. ”As a coach, we try to protect the players.”

Guess Who’s Back?

Alexey Miranchuk, one of the pricey designated players for Atlanta United, scored both of the Five Stripes’ goals on Saturday. It was his first 90-minute performance of the season, after being out of the starting lineup for the first two games.

“I am a little bit frustrated, of course, it was our first game at home, and we wanted to win,” he said.

There were times last season when Miranchuk was one of the dominant players on the pitch, no matter who Atlanta United played. Miranchuk spoke about some good moments during the match but said it wasn’t enough.

“We controlled the game, I like the connection between each other, we just have to be careful not to lose the ball in a bad spot,” he said.

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