February 22, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta United midfielder Alexei Miranchuk (59) handles the ball during the first half against CF Montreal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesWhen Atlanta United faces the visiting Philadelphia Union on Saturday afternoon, both teams will be looking to turn around disappointing starts to the 2026 MLS season.
Atlanta (0-3-0, 0 points) and Philadelphia (0-3-0, 0 points) not only tied, but also scored a total of 3 goals together. Two of those goals are for Atlanta, both by Alexei Miranchuk in last Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Real Salt Lake.
Despite Atlanta’s worst start in the club’s history, the players remain confident.
“It happens. To be honest, it’s football at the end of the day, but I think the biggest thing is trusting the system and believing it’s going to work,” midfielder Cooper Sanchez said. “I think we’re heading in the right direction.”
After winning a second Supporters’ Shield in 2025, Union are hoping to end their early season struggles. Their only goal in MLS action came in the 89th minute from a penalty kick by Indiana Vasilev in a 2–1 loss to New York City FC on March 1.
“We’re seeing really positive signs that are trending in the right direction. And that doesn’t mean anything if we don’t execute, right?” Philadelphia coach Bradley Cannell said: “So that’s the downside, but we have a healthy group. We have players who are recovering well and are interested in playing.”
Philadelphia’s last game was a 1-0 loss at home to Club America in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 on Tuesday. This comes three days after losing 1-0 to the San Jose Earthquakes.
Philadelphia is undefeated in its last five games against Atlanta (3-0-2). The Union swept the 2025 season series, winning 3-0 at home on April 19 and 1-0 on the road on May 17.
Atlanta United’s last win over the Union was on July 2, 2023, when they won 2-0.
–Field level media
