No roster moves are imminent for Atlanta United, and for a good reason

“I think he’s happy with the first few days,” Henderson said. “After being here, I felt like three or four of them, he’s like, ‘I like him,’ and that’s a good sign, feeling that the group is in a place, and he feels that he can work with the guys to develop.”

Part of Henderson’s decision-making processes include ensuring the squad has a balance between prime-age players and those with less experience. He said the squad is a heavy on older players. The roster includes eight Homegrown signees. Midfielder Jay Fortune, who had 27 appearances last season, likely is the only one among them who will compete to consistently start. Several others likely will be key contributors off the bench, or as spot starters. Centerback Noah Cobb, for example, had 19 appearances last season.

“I think Ronny has liked some of the younger guys coming through, and some of them had good preseasons,” Henderson said. “So I think that helps him in being more excited about the balance of the age. But eventually, we will need to balance who’s our core players in the next four years, and who are we going to, build the team around going forward, besides the DPs, just the core group.”

Henderson said he likes the MLS rule change that for the first time allows intra-league transfers of players in exchange for cash. He said being able to move players inside the league for money will enable teams to set more accurate transfer value floors for players.

Henderson said the rule change was one that had been discussed for several years.

“I do think that’s going to help with transfers out of the league and getting really good value for players,” he said. “And probably, if they (MLS) ever change to a FIFA calendar, that will help us get aligned with the rest of the world on having the primary window be in the summer.”