Atlanta United will open its eighth MLS season in less than five weeks at Columbus.
Barring the selling of Thiago Almada, the Five Stripes’ roster is mostly set because Vice President Carlos Bocanegra and his team were able to move quickly with the additions of at least two, and possibly three, starters.
The players on the team now have this time to learn about each other and work on manager Gonzalo Pineda’s tactics as they to try to make the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
“We want to create some robustness and some foundation for the team in preparation for a very demanding 2024 with many expectations, so we just want to create the foundation,” Pineda said last week
Here is a prediction for Atlanta United’s depth chart, not including those players who I think will go on loan to Atlanta United 2 for the season:
Credit: Doug Roberson
Credit: Doug Roberson
It is a strong 11, arguably the strongest among all non-Miami MLS teams.
The lineup changes included Stian Gregersen for Miles Robinson and Bartosz Slisz for Matheus Rossetto. Gregersen and Slisz were brought in as transfers from France and Poland.
Players that will predictably go on loan to Atlanta United 2 are Luke Brennan, Erik Centeno, Efrain Morales and Adyn Torres.
It is difficult to argue with 10 of the 11 predicted starters. Giakoumakis was named MLS Newcomer of the Year last season after scoring 17 goals. Almada was named MLS Young Player of the Year after scoring 11 goals with 19 assists. Lobjanidze and Silva combined for five goals and seven assists in 19 appearances. Slisz was signed to work with Muyumba to cover ground when the front four and the fullbacks are attacking up the field. Gregersen was signed to replace Robinson, whose ability to read the game and athleticism made him a very good defender.
The most-watched competition will be in goal, where Josh Cohen was signed to compete with Guzan.
“We’ve been clear with him and Brad about that,” Bocanegra said. “And we need someone to come in and compete for the number one and we think Josh has that ability.”
The team will play five preseason matches before it takes on Columbus, the defending MLS Cup winner.
Typically, the matches are set up to slowly get the first-team players up to 90 minutes. The first preseason match will be on Saturday in Birmingham. Expect the first-teamers to play about 30 minutes. That block of minutes will be increased as the preseason unfolds.
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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule
Feb. 24 at Columbus, 2 p.m.
March 9 vs. New England, 7:30 p.m.
March 17 vs. Orlando, 7 p.m., FS1
March 23 at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
March 31 vs. Chicago, 3:30 p.m., FOX
April 6 at NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.
April 14 vs. Philadelphia, 2:30 p.m., FOX
April 20 vs. Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
April 27 at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
May 4 vs. Minnesota, 7:30 p.m.
May 11 vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
May 15 at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
May 18 at Nashville, 1:30 p.m.
May 25 vs. LAFC, 7:30 p.m.
May 29 at Miami, 7:30 p.m.
June 2 vs Charlotte, 4:30 p.m., FOX
June 15 vs. Houston, 7:30 p.m.
June 19 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
June 22 at St. Louis, 8:30 p.m.
June 29 vs. Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
July 3 at New England, 7:30 p.m.
July 6 at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m.
July 13 at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
July 17 vs. NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.
July 20 vs. Columbus, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 24 at L.A. Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
Aug. 31 at Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 vs. Nashville, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 vs. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 vs. Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 at Orlando, 6 p.m.
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