Tag: Atlanta United

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Football (Premier League)

Atlanta United Announced New Head Coach for the 2025 season in Atlanta

Ronny Deila (Atlanta United)

With training camp set to start in a few days, the club has officially revealed the coaching staff who will assist head coach Ronny Deila in his first season.

Assistant coach Kenny Miller and goalkeeping coach Elliot Parish will join returning assistant coaches Matt Lawrey and Carl Robinson to complete the technical staff for 2025.

Deila announced that Miller and Parish would be joining his staff at his introductory press conference a few weeks ago.

While he planned to bring some of his core staff members with him, Deila also decided to keep some of Atlanta United’s 2024 staff members to help him and his assistants settle into the organization. Keeping Lawrey and Robinson may prove to be a smart decision.

Lawrey, the club’s former Academy Director, will likely continue to focus on developing young talent, helping Homegrown Players and draft picks adapt to the team and make the most of their opportunities with a new head coach who values hard work and improvement.

He has been with the club since 2016, starting as the U-12 head coach and eventually becoming the Academy Director from June 2021 to April 2024, overseeing soccer operations for the Academy teams and Atlanta United 2.

Robinson joined midway through the 2024 season to assist interim head coach Rob Valentino in keeping the team competitive and pushing for a playoff spot. The former Wales international midfielder started his coaching career in 2012 with Vancouver Whitecaps, where he was an assistant for two years before becoming the head coach in December 2013.

During his time as head coach, Robinson led Vancouver to three MLS Cup Playoff appearances in four seasons, a Canadian Cup championship in 2015, and the club’s first-ever appearance in the Concacaf Champions Cup, including a semi-final finish in the 2016-17 tournament.

Ronny Deila celebrates after the game ends

Robinson then moved to Australia, coaching the Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers, before returning to the U.S. with D.C. United as an assistant coach under Wayne Rooney in 2023.

He followed Rooney to Birmingham City for the 2023-24 season and has also assisted the Wales National Team. Robinson holds a UEFA Pro License, which he earned in 2013.

Parish will take over as the club’s goalkeeping coach, replacing long-time goalkeeping coach and set-piece expert Liam Curran. Parish began his coaching career at St. Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership, where he ended his playing career in 2023.

The England native started his career at Aston Villa’s Academy and made his professional debut for Lincoln City in 2011. Most recently, he worked with Deila at Al Wahda FC as the goalkeeping coach.

Miller will join as an assistant coach. Like Parish, Miller also worked with Deila at Al Wahda FC in the UAE Pro League. The former Scottish international began his coaching career in 2016 as a player at Rangers with its U-20 team, before becoming a player-manager at Livingston in 2018.

Miller has previous coaching experience with Carl Robinson, having been an assistant coach on his staff with the Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia.

This is an experienced coaching staff that brings proven skills and knowledge to help support players at all stages of their careers. Atlanta United’s players are in good hands.

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Football (Premier League)

Miguel Almiron Set for Atlanta United Return After Six Years at Newcastle United

Miguel Almiron
Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United)

Paraguay international winger Miguel Almiron’s tenure at Newcastle United is reportedly nearing its end after six years at St. James’ Park. Signed for a then-record MLS fee of $27 million, Almiron’s move to Newcastle marked a significant moment in both his career and the club’s history. However, recent reports suggest that he is set to return to the United States, with Atlanta United emerging as the likely destination. The transfer is expected to close following negotiations between the two clubs, with Almiron’s potential return to MLS becoming increasingly likely.

Transfer Agreement Reached with Atlanta United

According to The Telegraph, Newcastle and Atlanta United have agreed on a transfer fee for the 30-year-old winger, although personal terms are yet to be finalized. However, it’s expected that reaching an agreement on his contract will not pose any major challenges. This move would see Almiron return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where he first made a name for himself in Major League Soccer during his previous spell with Atlanta. His performances in the MLS were impressive, with Almiron scoring 22 goals and providing 21 assists in 70 appearances for Atlanta.

Miguel Almiron
Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United)

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe recently spoke highly of Almiron despite the transfer rumors surrounding him. Howe praised the Paraguayan for his professionalism and dedication, noting that Almiron has remained focused and positive throughout this period of uncertainty. According to Howe, there was no need for intervention as Almiron continued to show great commitment during training. He acknowledged the potential for a move but reaffirmed that Almiron remains an important part of the squad unless circumstances change.

Almiron’s Impact at Newcastle United

Over the course of his seven seasons with Newcastle, Almiron made 222 appearances, scoring 30 goals and registering 12 assists. His best season came in 2022, when he scored 11 goals in 32 Premier League matches, helping the club secure a fourth-place finish in the league and qualify for the Champions League. Almiron’s contributions during this peak moment cemented his place as a fan favorite, and his energy and work ethic on the field made him an important player for the Magpies.

This season, however, has been a challenging one for Almiron, as he has been relegated to a more limited role. With only eight Premier League appearances, many of which have been as a substitute, Almiron has struggled to maintain his starting position in a squad that has evolved under Howe. Despite his limited involvement this season, Almiron’s legacy at Newcastle remains significant, and his potential departure marks the end of a memorable chapter for both him and the club.

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Football (Premier League)

Will Reilly Joins Atlanta United on Homegrown Contract Through 2025, Eyes Continued Development

Will Reilly
Will Reilly (Atlanta United)

Atlanta United has signed Will Reilly, a homegrown midfielder, to a contract that will run through the 2025 MLS season, with options for the 2026-2028 seasons. Reilly, 22, has been part of the club’s academy since 2016, helping to shape his development before heading to Stanford University, where he played for four years.

Reilly’s collegiate career at Stanford saw him become a consistent starter, contributing 11 goals and 17 assists in 75 matches. His performances have caught the attention of Atlanta United, who have followed his progress closely. Academy director Javier Perez praised Reilly’s versatility, noting that he can play in various midfield roles, including box-to-box or holding positions.

Will Reilly
Will Reilly (Atlanta United)

The club is thrilled to welcome Reilly back to the fold after his successful college career. His time at Stanford showed his reliability and growth, starting every match for the past three seasons. Atlanta United looks forward to seeing him continue to develop as a professional with their first team.

Before heading to college, Reilly also gained valuable experience playing for Atlanta United 2 in the USL Championship, featuring in 35 matches from 2019 to 2021. With this combination of academy training, college experience, and USL play, Reilly is well-prepared to take the next step in his soccer journey with Atlanta United.

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Football (Premier League)

Atlanta United Acquires Mateusz Klich to Bolster Midfield, D.C. United Gains Draft Pick

Mateusz Klich
Mateusz Klich (New England Revolution)

Atlanta United has acquired midfielder Mateusz Klich from D.C. United. In return, D.C. United receives Atlanta’s first-round pick in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft (No. 23 overall) and up to $50,000 in conditional General Allocation Money (GAM) in 2026 if Klich is re-signed by Atlanta. D.C. also retains a portion of Klich’s salary and his Designated Player (DP) roster spot, although Klich will not be a DP for Atlanta.

Klich’s Proven Quality and Leadership in Midfield

Klich, a 34-year-old Polish international, is known for his ability to control a game and create scoring opportunities. Chris Henderson, Atlanta’s chief soccer officer, praised Klich’s proven quality in MLS and European leagues, emphasizing his ability to dictate the tempo and his leadership in the midfield. Atlanta views Klich as a crucial addition to strengthen their midfield and enhance their playmaking capabilities.

Mateusz Klich
Mateusz Klich (New England Revolution)

Before joining D.C. United in 2023, Klich had a notable career in Europe, playing for Leeds United in nearly 200 matches, helping them achieve promotion to the Premier League. He has also played in the Eredivisie for PEC Zwolle, FC Twente, and FC Utrecht. In MLS, Klich contributed significantly with D.C. United, recording 6 goals and 22 assists in 63 appearances, showcasing his consistent playmaking ability.

D.C. United Reflects on Klich’s Impact

D.C. United expressed gratitude for Klich’s contributions during his time with the club. General Manager Ally Mackay thanked Klich for his commitment and leadership, wishing him the best in his next chapter with Atlanta. Klich had been a key player for D.C. under former manager Wayne Rooney and left the club after two productive seasons.

The addition of Klich adds experience and depth to Atlanta United’s midfield, alongside Bartosz Slisz, Tristan Muyumba, and Ajani Fortune. Atlanta United, coming off a ninth-place finish in the Eastern Conference in 2023, hopes to improve their standing with Klich’s expertise. Meanwhile, D.C. United, entering their second season under coach Troy Lesesne, will look to rebuild after narrowly missing the playoffs in 2024. Both teams aim for stronger seasons ahead, with Klich’s transfer playing a key role in Atlanta’s ambitions.

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Football (Premier League)

Atlanta United Falls 2-0 to Galaxy as Marco Reus Shines in MLS Debut

Atlanta United Falls 2-0 to Galaxy as Marco Reus Shines in MLS Debut
Atlanta United Falls 2-0 to Galaxy as Marco Reus Shines in MLS Debut

Atlanta United returned from the Leagues Cup break reinvigorated and ready to compete against the top-seeded L.A. Galaxy. For much of Saturday night’s match, they played with intensity and created scoring opportunities, matching the Western Conference leaders stride for stride. However, two late goals from L.A. ended Atlanta’s hopes of securing points, resulting in a 2-0 loss. Despite their strong start, the game exposed key weaknesses Atlanta must address as they continue their push for the playoffs.

The match turned in the 67th minute when the Galaxy were awarded a penalty. Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan made a spectacular save, diving to his left to deny Joseph Paintsil’s low-driven shot. While the save kept the score at 0-0, it marked a shift in momentum. The penalty disrupted Atlanta’s flow and gave the Galaxy the confidence to press forward. Interim head coach Rob Valentino acknowledged the impact, stating, “The penalty – that’s when I felt the shift really go.” The Galaxy capitalized ten minutes later, breaking the deadlock through a well-executed goal by Riqui Puig.

Marco Reus Delivers in His MLS Debut

Making his league debut, L.A.’s new star signing Marco Reus showcased his world-class ability. Reus assisted Puig’s opening goal with a display of patience and skill, drawing Atlanta’s defense out of position before delivering the decisive pass. He later doubled the Galaxy’s lead, scoring his first MLS goal by following up his own rebound after Guzan blocked the initial shot. Reus’ immediate impact underscored why the Galaxy invested in the former Borussia Dortmund standout, as his performance highlighted his ability to influence high-stakes matches.

Atlanta United Falls 2-0 to Galaxy as Marco Reus Shines in MLS Debut
Atlanta United Falls 2-0 to Galaxy as Marco Reus Shines in MLS Debut

Atlanta United began the match with energy and intent, creating promising opportunities through intricate passing in the final third. Jay Fortune, Pedro Amador, and Jamal Thiaré combined effectively to test L.A.’s defense, with Thiaré finding the net before being flagged offside. Xande Silva also came close, with his shot in the 10th minute saved by Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy. Despite generating an expected goals (xG) total of 1.92, Atlanta failed to convert these chances, a recurring issue that cost them dearly against a top-tier opponent.

Defensive Resilience Marred by Late Lapses

Atlanta’s defense showed moments of strength, anchored by Guzan’s six saves and Stian Gregersen’s composed performance. The backline worked hard to contain L.A.’s dynamic attack, including tracking back to neutralize long balls and closing down spaces in key moments. However, the team’s defensive organization faltered in the final stages, allowing the Galaxy to break through twice in the last 15 minutes. Guzan’s efforts, though commendable, were not enough to secure a clean sheet as Atlanta struggled to hold their ground under pressure.

While the loss was disappointing, there were positives for Atlanta to take away. The team displayed energy, tactical discipline, and the ability to compete with one of the league’s best teams. Key players like Fortune and Amador showed promise, while the debut of Alexey Miranchuk offered glimpses of his potential to enhance Atlanta’s attack. With eight matches remaining in the regular season, Atlanta sits precariously near the playoff line. To secure postseason qualification, they must be more clinical in front of goal and maintain focus for the full 90 minutes. The team’s margin for error is slim, and every match from here on is critical to their playoff aspirations.