(Photo credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images)

The Philadelphia Union strive for their third straight win when they face Atlanta United on Saturday night in Chester, Pa.

The Union, winners of back-to-back matches for the first time this season, announced Thursday that they had transferred defender Olwethu Makhanya to Scottish top-flight club Rangers.

While Neil Pierre has slid into Makhanya's spot and has a goal and an assist for the Union (3-10-4, 13 points) in their last two matches, the 18-year-old United States youth international isn't quite a finished product, noted Union interim head coach Ryan Richter.

'He gets his opportunity, and he does well, but ... it's a game and a half that he played, so he has a long way to go to become that consistent presence and grow himself in that role,' Richter said.

The Union's Milan Iloski ran his team-high total to nine goals during a 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders on July 25, extending his scoring run to five straight matches.

Philadelphia's win streak has pushed Atlanta (3-11-3, 12 points) to the bottom of the MLS standings.

Atlanta, which defeated the Union 3-1 at home on March 14, will look to complete the season sweep while snapping a winless streak that reached six matches (0-4-2) with a 4-1 loss at the New England Revolution on July 25.

'I think if we could string together one, then two, then three (wins), things can turn around,' Atlanta forward Fafa Picault said. 'We've seen it done in the league before. I've been part of teams where you've been in a draw for a while and then, boom, things start to work out, and there you go.'

Miguel Almiron's goal against the Revs was his second in as many matches.

Atlanta on Thursday announced that it had transferred defender Pedro Amador to Hapoel Be'er Sheva in Israel's first division. Amador had an assist in seven appearances and two starts for Atlanta in 2026.

Atlanta striker Emmanuel Latte Lath, signed to a Designated Player contract in 2025 for a reported $22 million fee, has missed the team's last two matches amid conversations over a potential transfer. Latte Lath has just nine goals in 44 regular-season appearances (35 starts) since his arrival.

--Field Level Media