Atlanta United announces year-end roster moves, and Rob Valentino moves on from the Five Stripes

Atlanta United announced today its end-of-season roster decisions, which determine whose options were picked up, whose were declined, and other pertinent squad changes before the offseason truly kicks off in earnest. Interim head coach Rob Valentino also posted on Twitter/X his appreciation post, saying he’s out from Atlanta.

Note: this article will be updated as more info comes out from Atlanta United’s press conference.

Updates from press conference

• Garth Lagerwey noted he met with Rob Valentino this morning to notify him of the decision that he wouldn’t be the future coach, and gave tons of praise for everything he did for the club. Noted that Rob did great, but the club is looking for more experience.
• Garth pointed out that the team is down to a couple of finalists for the head coaching job and wish to have that announced before Christmas, and said they would likely make a final decision by next week.
• Said the team wants to recalibrate some players salaries to reflect their role on the team.
• Noted the sporting director timeline would also be before Christmas, but hoped within the next couple of weeks.
• Looking to start by adding a defender and an attacker, and use both DP spots – one almost certainly for a striker but possibly left wing, too.
• Noted Sosa and other U-22s will be discussed with other clubs who are interested.
• Lagerwey said the way he’s working on establishing the connection between the new coach and sporting director has a lot to do with his many connections through the league and the old-fashioned manner of just making sure they have meetings together and have chemistry.
• Pointed at that one potential change is whether Noah Cobb could play right-back, which ties into potentially adding a new defender.
• Said as an example of building blocks the team already has, the team needs to add more speed up front to help Miranchuk have more space and for the midfield to play in balls behind the defense.
• Pointed to the U-22 spots as “really good investment vehicles,” but said Atlanta United wants to build around prime-age players. Said focus is on full DP’s and players from the Academy, but that the U-22s aren’t the biggest focus.
• Noted as far as DP attackers, they may look at both striker and left winger, but some of that will depend on the new coach. He noted that almost positively one will be a “center-forward.”
• The team is not handicapped by the amount of money made in this past summer window.
• When asked about Josef Martinez, Garth said they’re not closing any doors but reiterated the team is looking for speed.

Without further ado, here is the list of moves that affect the outgoing 2024 version of the Five Stripes, straight from the club.

• Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, defender Efrain Morales and midfielders Jay Fortune and Santiago Sosa had their contract options exercised. 

• Six players had contract options declined including Erik Centeno, Nick Firmino, Ronald Hernández, Franco Ibarra, Jamal Thiaré and Tyler Wolff. The club remains in negotiations with Hernández, Thiaré and Wolff. All players are eligible for the MLS Re-Entry Draft except Wolff who will go on waivers.

• The loan for forward Daniel Ríos expires at the end of the calendar year. Midfielder Dax McCarty is retiring after a 19-year MLS career. Goalkeeper Quentin Westberg is also retiring after spending the last six years in MLS.  

The MLS offseason begins on Monday, Dec. 9 with the half-day trade window opening at 9:00 a.m. On Wednesday, Dec. 11 the MLS Expansion Draft will take place with San Diego FC joining MLS next season. Free Agency and End-of-Year Waivers open on Dec. 12, followed by the Re-Entry Process, Stage 1 on December 13.

These changes represent the beginning of the most critical offseason in Atlanta United’s relatively short history. 2024 has been tumultuous, with some massive transfers and acquisitions in addition to the firing of coach Gonzalo Pineda and technical director Carlos Bocanegra. A couple of Designated Player spots sit open, U-22 spots are coming available, and the aforementioned technical director needs to be announced. Add that to the now verified empty head coaching gig, and Garth Lagerwey and company have their work cut out for them.

We wish nothing but the best to the outgoing players and to Rob Valentino! Be sure to join us over on our Youtube tonight as we discuss all the changes, and let us know below what y’all think of all the news so far.

Going back to the matchmaking between the head coach position and sporting director, since it’s such a unique position you’re in with both being vacant, can you talk a little bit about what metrics you look into to make the decision that they’ll be a good fit for each other?