Atlanta United: 3 things to watch for this preseason

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ATLANTA, GA AUGUST 27: Atlanta’s Gonzalo “Pity” Martínez (10) celebrates after winning the US Open Cup final match between Minnesota United FC and Atlanta United FC on August 27th, 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Atlanta United began their preseason training this week for the upcoming 2020 season. Here are the top three storylines to keep track of this camp.

The day has finally arrived. Atlanta United get back to work. After a successful 2019 in which the Five Stripes won the U.S. Open Cup and Campeones Cup but ultimately fell short in the CONCACAF Champions League and MLS Playoffs, Frank de Boer’s side will be looking to build on their early successes next season.

And with a CCL campaign to open up the 2020 season, there is plenty for de Boer and his staff to prepare this preseason. That is why Atlanta have returned to training early, after all.

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So, with all this in mind, here are the top three storylines to track this preseason.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 14: Julian Gressel #24 of Atlanta United reacts after falling to the Seattle Sounders 2-1 during their game at CenturyLink Field on July 14, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

3. Julian Gressel?

What is the future of Julian Gressel? The German has been undergoing an offseason-long contract dispute with Atlanta United that is yet to be resolved. Gressel has been vastly underpaid in his MLS career and wants an improved contract. He has stated multiple times how much he enjoys Atlanta as a city and the club itself, but more money is a must.

Throughout the offseason, multiple different threads to this story have developed from a potential oversees transfer to a trade to Toronto. The only sure thing is that he is currently at Atlanta United preseason and will talk to the media later in the week.

Quite frankly, under the current CBA rules, Atlanta cannot afford to offer Gressel a substantial pay rise. Until a new CBA is agreed upon across MLS, it is unlikely that the two parties will come together on a contract agreement. Nevertheless, Gressel wants to stay and Atlanta wants to keep him. Usually, such situations only end one way.

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