MLS free agency opens on Thursday. Atlanta United has a few needs, notably at striker, fullback, left wing and central midfield.
The league released the players eligible to be signed on Wednesday.
Atlanta United doesn’t need goalkeepers or centerbacks. It has depth across those positions.
It’s unlikely the team will sign any free agents on Thursday because it has yet to announce a hire at Technical Director or coach.
Still, speculation can be fun. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Doug Roberson offers his take on the intriguing candidates for the team:
Yamil Asad
Previous team: Cincinnati
Position: Left wing
Age: 30
2024 salary: $89,716
2024 stats: 23 appearances, three goals, give assists
Why he might be a good fit: He’s bounced around since leaving Atlanta United after the 2017 season. Left wing was a statistical black hole for Atlanta United last season. It’s more likely the team will try to sign a Designated Player for the wing, but having Asad and Xande Silva (assuming he’s not selected in Wednesday’s expansion draft) would be good cover. Asad could play as a wing or wingback.-
Eduard Atuesta
Previous team: LAFC
Position: Central midfield
Age: 27
2024 salary: $689,700
2024 stats: 28 appearances, four goals, six assists
Why he might be a good fit: Atuesta’s attacking instincts might pair well with Alexey Miranchuk, Saba Lobjanidze and Bartosz Slisz. A fairly big problem is Jay Fortune showed real potential and comes at a much lower salary ($71,401) with arguably a higher ceiling.-
Latif Blessing
Previous team: Houston
Position: Winger/striker
Age: 27
2024 salary: $715,000.
2024 stats: 27 appearances, five goals, one assist
Why he might be a good fit: If he would agree to a much lower salary, Blessing would provide speed on the flank that would work well in a possession-based or counter-attacking system. For all of his speed, Blessing has never scored more than six goals in a season.
-
Alexander Ring
Previous team: Austin
Position: Central midfield/defender
Age: 33
2024 salary: $1,665,000
2024 stats: 34 appearances, two goals, seven assists
Why he might be a good fit: This would make sense only if Ring would agree to a contract for much less than he made at Austin. But he could provide the leadership and poise in the midfielder previously shown by Atlanta United midfielder Jeff Larentowicz and Dax McCarty.
-
Raul Ruidiaz
Previous team: Seattle
Position: Striker
Age: 34
2024 salary: $2,729,120
2024 stats: 24 appearances, eight goals, two assists
Why he might be a good fit: Of the players on this list, this would be the biggest gamble because of age, injury history and likely salary. What’s not arguable is Ruidiaz scores goals: 72 in 139 appearances across seven seasons with Seattle. If Atlanta United can keep him on the field, he could be a consistent threat. If Atlanta United can sign him to a TAM deal, it could use the two DP slots on other positions.
Lastly, many of you have urged the team to sign Josef Martinez, who is also a free agent. I understand the sentiment. Martinez is beloved from his time with the club and his more than 100 goals scored. But that’s why it might be a mistake to sign him. If the team were to sign a DP-level striker, and they got off to a slow start, some supporters would scream for Martinez to start. That wouldn’t be good for Martinez, whatever striker they may sign, or the rest of the team, in my opinion.
The list of free agents:
Free Agency Eligible Player List:
Abubakar, Lalas – Option Declined
Altidore, Jozy – Out of Contract
Anunga, Tah Brian – Option Declined
Arreaga, Xavier – Option Declined
Asad, Yamil – Option Declined
Atuesta, Eduard – Option Declined
Baldisimo, Michael – Out of Contract
Beason, Tanner – Option Declined
Bedoya, Alejandro – Out of Contract
Bendik, Joe – Option Declined
Bersano, Matt – Option Declined
Blessing, Latif – Option Declined
Bono, Alexander – Option Declined
Burke, Cory – Option Declined
Bush, Evan – Out of Contract
Canouse, Russell – Out of Contract
Chang, Maikel – Out of Contract
Clark, Steve – Option Declined
Dájome, Cristian – Option Declined
Ebobisse, Jeremy – Option Declined
Edwards, Raheem – Option Declined
Elliott, Jack – Option Declined
Finlay, Ethan – Option Declined
Fontàs, Andreu – Out of Contract
Fraser, Liam – Option Declined
Godoy, Anibal – Option Declined
Gonzalez, Omar – Option Declined
Greguš, Ján – Option Declined
Hagglund, Nick – Out of Contract
Hedges, Matt – Option Declined
Herbers, Fabian – Out of Contract
Holt, Erik – Option Declined
Irwin, Clint – Option Declined
Jimenez, Hector – Out of Contract
Kallman, Brent – Out of Contract
Kamara, Kei – Option Declined
Ketterer, Logan – Out of Contract
Lappalainen, Lassi – Option Declined
Lassiter, Ariel – Out of Contract
Lewis, Jonathan – Out of Contract
Lima, Nick – Out of Contract
Lindsey, Jaylin – Option Declined
Loría, Marvin – Option Declined
Marcinkowski, JT – Option Declined
Martínez, Josef – Option Declined
Martins, Felipe – Out of Contract
Martins, Luis – Option Declined
Martins, Pedro – Out of Contract
Maurer, Jimmy – Out of Contract
Mavinga, Chris – Out of Contract
McCarty, Dax – Option Declined
McNamara, Tommy – Option Declined
Melia, Tim – Out of Contract
Mensah, Jonathan – Option Declined
Michel, Benji – Option Declined
Miller, Tyler – Option Declined
Moralez, Maxi – Out of Contract
Moreno, Júnior – Option Declined
Murillo, Jesús – Out of Contract
Nerwinski, Jake – Option Declined
Omsberg, Wyatt – Out of Contract
O’Neill, Shane – Option Declined
Parker, Tim – Out of Contract
Paulo, João – Out of Contract
Picault, Fafa – Option Declined
Ranjitsingh, Greg – Option Declined
Raposo, Ryan – Out of Contract
Real, Matt – Option Declined
Richey, Spencer – Out of Contract
Ring, Alexander – Option Declined
Robinson, Robbie – Out of Contract
Ruan – Out of Contract
Ruidíaz, Raúl – Out of Contract
Rusnák, Albert – Out of Contract
Russell, Johnny – Out of Contract
Sánchez, Ilie – Out of Contract
Schmitt, Tate – Option Declined
Scott, Brady – Option Declined
Sejdić, Amar – Option Declined
Servania, Brandon – Option Declined
Silva, Marcelo – Out of Contract
Smith, Brad – Option Declined
Smith, Kyle – Out of Contract
Steres, Daniel – Option Declined
Thompson, Tommy – Option Declined
Toye, Mason – Option Declined
Trapp, Wil – Option Declined
Twumasi, Ema – Option Declined
Urso, Júnior – Option Declined
Valentin, Zarek – Out of Contract
Vela, Carlos – Option Declined
Wanyama, Victor – Out of Contract
Westberg, Quentin – Out of Contract
Yarbrough, William – Option Declined
Yearwood, Dru – Out of Contract
Yueill, Jackson – Out of Contract
Zavaleta, Eriq – Out of Contract
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