(Photo credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

When Atlanta United face the visiting Philadelphia Union on Saturday afternoon, both teams will be looking to turn around what have been disappointing beginnings to the 2026 MLS season.

Not only are Atlanta (0-3-0, 0 points) and Philadelphia (0-3-0, 0 points) winless, but they have combined for a total of three goals. Two of those belong to Atlanta, both scored by Alexey Miranchuk in a 3-2 loss to Real Salt Lake last Saturday.

Despite Atlanta being off to its worst start in club history, its players remain confident.

'It happens. It's football, honestly, at the end of the day, but I think the biggest thing is trusting in the system and trusting that it's going to work,' midfielder Cooper Sanchez said. 'I think we're moving in the right direction.'

After winning their second Supporters' Shield in 2025, the Union are hoping to put an end to their own early-season struggles. Their lone goal in MLS play was an 89th-minute tally from Indiana Vassilev on a penalty kick in a 2-1 loss to New York City FC on March 1.

'We're seeing some real positive signs, trending in the right direction. And that doesn't mean anything if we don't execute, right?' Philadelphia head coach Bradley Carnell said. 'So that's the downside, but we have a healthy group. We have guys recovering well and excited about the game.'

Philadelphia's last match was on Tuesday, a 1-0 home loss to Club America in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 tie. That came three days after a 1-0 away loss to the San Jose Earthquakes.

Philadelphia is unbeaten in its last five matches (3-0-2) against Atlanta. The Union swept the season series in 2025, winning 3-0 at home on April 19 before a 1-0 road win on May 17.

Atlanta United's last win against the Union was on July 2, 2023, by a score of 2-0.

--Field Level Media