MLS, Atlanta United and Miguel Almiron: The game has been changed

Atlanta United sold Miguel Almiron for a record $21 million this week. It is not unreasonable to say that they have changed the very fabric of MLS.

It has finally happened. Atlanta United have sold Miguel Almiron. On Thursday this week, it was officially announced that Newcastle United would sign the attacking midfielder for a reported fee of $27 million, depending on certain clauses.

It is the biggest sale in Major League Soccer history, and by almost double the next biggest sale, it remarkably puts Atlanta United top in terms of revenue through player sales in the history of the league, and it is a transfer process that has shaped the very fabric of the league. Atlanta have changed the game.

On Thursday, Bobby Warshaw stated that there were four players who have fundamentally changed the way MLS franchises go about business: David Beckham, Sebastian Giovinco, Alphonso Davies, and now Miguel Almiron.

More from MLS Multiplex

• Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
• Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
• USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
• De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
• Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States

While his wording may be a little awkward, his point stands perfectly: the Almiron era at Atlanta has completely and utterly changed the nature of MLS and the impact will ripple throughout the league for many, many years to come.

In just two years, Atlanta signed Almiron for $8 million, made the playoffs twice, won an MLS Cup, and then made $21 million profit minus wages. That really is a game-changing investment.

And Almiron is one of just many. Atlanta hired one of the best South American coaches in the world, signed an MLS record goalscorer, broke the transfer record with a $15 million investment, won the MLS, nearly set the regular-season points total, signed the reigning South American Player of the Year, and then broke the MLS sales record.

There will be much jealousy of Atlanta, their spending power, their ‘plastic’ fan base, their superiority complex. But if you can take the time to step back and simply survey what they have done, it is undeniable that they have completely revolutionised football in North America.

You can see other franchises beginning to take on similar approaches. The coach hirings this offseason were predominantly young, looking to instill a culture that will improve talent and provide an opportunity to then sell that talent for profit. Designated Player signings have moved away from the retiring European and towards the burgeoning youngster. Transfer fees are seen as investments, not prices.

These shifts in culture and management are all because of Atlanta United change the game. I am not sure it is possible to overstate the massive impact that the Almiron sale will have on MLS. And this is all without him kicking a ball. Just imagine if he goes on to light up the Premier League?

The game has been changed. By Atlanta United. By Miguel Almiron. By Arthur Blank. MLS is very different to what it was a few days ago. And it is now time for everyone else to play catch-up.