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Atlanta United: 2020 Preview – A second MLS Cup?

By Matt Coles

ATLANTA, GA OCTOBER 06: Atlanta's Leandro González Pirez (5) congratulates Darlington Nagbe (6) after Nagbe scored a first-half goal during the MLS match between the New England Revolution and Atlanta United FC on October 6th, 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA OCTOBER 06: Atlanta's Leandro González Pirez (5) congratulates Darlington Nagbe (6) after Nagbe scored a first-half goal during the MLS match between the New England Revolution and Atlanta United FC on October 6th, 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 24: Atlanta’s Brad Guzan (1) reacts to a second-half goal during the MLS playoff match between Philadelphia Union and Atlanta United FC on October 24th, 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 24: Atlanta’s Brad Guzan (1) reacts to a second-half goal during the MLS playoff match between Philadelphia Union and Atlanta United FC on October 24th, 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Offseason Summary

Squad Retention

Their current squad is arguably one of the best in the league with Josef Martinez continuing to be their main man going forward. The Argentinian trio of Barco, Pity Martinez and Eric Remedi will continue to be a key part of the club’s midfield for the 2020 campaign.

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Experienced USMNT star Brad Guzan will continue as No.1 between the sticks with Miles Robinson the defence in front of him. There could be a lack of MLS experience in the squad with only five players having featured in the league more than 60 times, but there is also a great core of young Americans coming through, including the likes of Mo Adams, Andrew Carleton and Robinson, who could play in the league for years to come.

Transfers & SuperDraft Picks

Atlanta United have had plenty of action in the transfer market since the conclusion of the 2019 campaign, with seven players coming in on either transfers or trades and 14 players departing. And make no mistake, there have been some big departures, especially along their backline.

Michael Parkhurst announced his retirement following the Five Stripes’ playoff loss, while Leandro Gonzalez Pirez signed for Tijuana in early January. Florentin Pogba, Brek Shea and Mikey Ambrose also left the team in the offseason. Atlanta also lost the likes of Julian Gressel to D.C. United and Darlington Nagbe to the Columbus Crew, while Justin Meram and Kevin Kratz both became free agents.

Atlanta have brought in the likes of Brooks Lennon from Real Salt Lake, Anton Walkes from Portsmouth and Fernando Meza from Tijuana to bolster their defence, along with Emerson Hyndman and Adam Jahn to boost their midfield and attacking options, but this could be the side’s weakest squad in their short MLS history.

The Five Stripes picked two players in the MLS SuperDraft taking Danish defender Patrick Nielsen from Michigan State in the first round before also selecting Phillip Goodrum from UNC Wilmington with the 75th pick.

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