After nearly two months away, Jay Fortune will get a warm welcome back from the 17s.
The Homegrown midfielder hasn’t played since July 17, as he spent time recovering from two hamstring injuries to either leg. Since then, he signed a contract extension to stay with the club an additional two-and-a-half years. Now, his patience has paid off, and he’s in head coach Tata Martino’s starting lineup for Wednesday night.
The 5-Stripes face rivals Orlando City in an Eastern Conference matchup that could heat up the playoff race. Fortune will have a home debutant next to him in the middle of the park in Mauricio Amaro. The 22-year-old Uruguayan summer signing made a substitute appearance against Inter Miami CF last weekend and will look to go for even longer Wednesday.
Tristan Muyumba rounds out the midfield for Atlanta United, with the Frenchman having started 10 consecutive league matches coming into the fixture with Orlando.
Behind the midfield is Atlanta’s first-choice defense: Lucas Hoyos in goal, Tomás Jacob and Elías Báez as fullbacks, and Júnior Alonso and Paulo Díaz in central defense. They’ll have Antoine Griezmann and Co. to defend, a tall task as the Frenchman has 8 goal contributions since joining MLS over the summer.
In attack, Breel Embolo makes his home debut for Atlanta United, fresh off a vital penalty kick goal to pick up a point against Miami. Captain Miguel Almirón and team-high goalscorer Alexey Miranchuk round out an attack that will have the chance to light it up against a leaky Orlando defense.
Here’s the full starting XI for Atlanta United vs Orlando City SC:
Lucas Hoyos, Tomás Jacob, Júnior Alonso, Paulo Díaz, Elías Báez, Tristan Muyumba, Mauricio Amaro, Jay Fortune, Alexey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirón (C), Breel Embolo
Reserves: Jayden Hibbert, Matt Edwards, Enea Mihaj, Adrian Gill, Will Reilly, Sergio Santos, Fafa Picault, Luke Brennan, Cayman Togashi
Roster Notes:
— Jay Fortune returns to the starting XI for the first time since July 17. The Homegrown worked his way back from consecutive hamstring injuries to either leg.
— Breel Embolo will make his home debut with Atlanta United. The Designated Player and Swiss national will start his second MLS match of his career after having scored the equalizing goal in the 5-Stripes’ 2-2 draw with Inter Miami CF Saturday night.
— Embolo became the ninth player in Atlanta United history to score on their debut Saturday night.
— Miguel Almirón scored against Miami last time out as well, his seventh goal contribution since returning from the World Cup break.
— Mauricio Amaro is set to start for the first time with the 5-Stripes. The Uruguayan midfielder occupies a U-22 initiative slot on Atlanta United’s roster and made his debut in a substitute appearance last Saturday.
— Atlanta United boasts an 11-6-8 (W-L-D) record against Orlando City SC in MLS competition. The 5-Stripes have already played the Lions twice this season, coming in back-to-back matches May 16 and 19. They’ll look for their first win against their rivals in 2026 Wednesday night.