Atlanta United: 2019 MLS Season Preview

Atlanta United look to follow up their 2018 MLS Cup triumph with even more trophies. Here is a look into their new roster with predictions for the season ahead.

Yet again, Atlanta United’s front office is being clear about the club’s goals and priorities. The top priority this season is winning the CONCACAF Champions League. Beyond that, the club wants to win another trophy, or two, or three. With five possible trophies up for grabs this season, winning just one might not be enough.

Despite losing arguably the team’s best player in Miguel Almiron, the club restocked on talent by signing the 2018 South American Player of the Year, Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez. The club also replaced their outgoing head coach, Gerardo “Tata” Martino, with Frank de Boer, who brings a wealth of experience both as a player and a coach. Because the team was able to replace such important pieces, they are still expected to do very well this season in the eyes of both their fans and the league media.

Atlanta also have a few new depth pieces on the roster. Center-back Florentin Pogba and left-back Brek Shea, as well as goalkeeper depth with Brendan Moore, will all help bolster the defense. The club traded away Greg Garza and sold Almiron, while also releasing Chris McCann.

Atlanta have surpassed expectations and raised the bar nearly every time they take the pitch. After such a successful sophomore season, the club will need to do even better. With their sights set on multiple trophies and continued dominance under a new coaching staff, the club will look forward and need a strong 2019.

2018 Recap

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Record: 21-6-7

Finishing position: 2nd in MLS, 2nd in Eastern Conference

Post-season: 4-1 aggregate win over New York City FC, 3-1 aggregate win over New York Red Bulls, 2-0 MLS Cup win over Portland Timbers

Transfers In

Brek Shea (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Brendan Moore (Rochdale)
Dion Perreira (Watford)
Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez (River Plate)
Florentin Pogba (without club)
Anderson Aseidu (draft-UCLA)
Amir Bashti (draft-Stanford)

Transfers Out

Miguel Almiron (Newcastle United)
Sal Zizzo (declined)
Mitch Hildebrandt (declined)
Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu (FC Tucson)
Oliver Shannon (declined)
Greg Garza (FC Cincinnati)
Chris McCann (DC United)

Predicted Starting XI for the season

2019 Predictions

Last year’s championship season was unforgettable, but there are bigger goals for the club. Not only is Atlanta in the CONCACAF Champions League for the first time, but they will be looking to win more than one trophy this season. MLS Cup will be another major goal, but so will the U.S. Open Cup and Supporters’ Shield, in addition to the CCL. If Atlanta wins the CCL, the FIFA Club World Cup will present another trophy opportunity.

They should continue to set and maintain attendance records, just as they’ve done since entering the league. Josef Martinez will look to win the Golden Boot, and he will be back in the running for the Landon Donovan MLS MVP if healthy. Pity Martinez will look to win MLS Newcomer of the Year and, if all goes well, he may be a finalist for MVP as well. Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez should be a finalist for Defender of the Year for the second year in a row and Michael Parkhurst may land as a finalist again.

Atlanta United will be favorites again this season for both the Supporters’ Shield and the MLS Cup. Under previous coach Tata Martino, the team was not overly focused on winning the Open Cup, but that may change under de Boer and his coaching staff.

If the team can overcome injuries and match congestion as the year progresses, then Atlanta should be favorites to not only repeat as MLS Cup champions, but challenge for the Supporters’ Shield and make a run at the Open Cup in the process.

Finishing position: 1st in Eastern Conference, Supporters’ Shield winners, MLS Cup winners