After hoisting MLS Cup last year in just their second MLS season ...Atlanta United are intent to return to the summit in 2019.
Despite losing 2018 Coach of the Year Tata Martino and star midfielder Miguel Almiron, Atlanta have fiercely reloaded with Frank de Boer and 2018 South American Player of the Year Pity Martinez. Can they be the first team since the LA Galaxy in 2011-12 to successfully defend their title?
Star players
Key acquisitions and departures
- IN: Pity Martinez
- IN: Florentin Pogba
- IN: Brek Shea
- OUT: Miguel Almiron
- OUT: Greg Garza
- OUT: Chris McCann
Projected Starting XI
Team strengths and weaknesses
- Strength: How much time do we have? League’s best goalscorer, South American player of the year, a manager who’s won the UEFA Champions League and a bunch of other stuff, a squad with quality and variety (youth, in-prime stars, veterans) and a fanbase that brings the noise. Atlanta United have it all.
- Weakness: Newness. Pity Martinez is talented, but it’s won’t be easy to replace everything Miguel Almiron did immediately no matter how good his resume is or how much he cost. Frank de Boer is new, too, and so are the tactics. Sometimes change is good. Sometimes change means slow going, at first at least.
Predictions
- Ben Baer: 1st in East
- Calen Carr: 2nd in East
- Charlie Davies: 1st in East
- Matt Doyle: 2nd in East
- Bobby Warshaw: 1st in East
- Andrew Wiebe: 1st in East
