The MLS free agency bonanza begins on Thursday at 1 p.m. ET. To be honest, things haven’t always worked out on this front for Atlanta United (Derrick Etienne, anyone?), but with less cap constraints to deal with this offseason, the club can hopefully take a more reasoned approach, especially as several interesting options are on the table.
But which make the most sense for Atlanta? If anything, Garth Lagerwey will prefer to take a lean approach, but that doesn’t mean if there’s a player to be had for the right price, he (and whoever the technical director ends up being) won’t make a move. Here are four players I think are at least worth a look.
Raul Ruidiaz, ST
Last team: Seattle Sounders
2024 guaranteed compensation: $2.729M
Atlanta’s in the market for a mobile striker, and there’s plenty of those to be had on the transfer market. As far as a backup, you can do a lot worse than the decorated Ruidiaz, who certainly still has some tread on his tires (8g/2a in 2024) but parted ways with the Sounders after seven seasons. And it’s not impossible to imagine him reuniting with Lagerwey in Atlanta. (There’s reported interest, too.)
His price tag on his most recent contract was in the top 30 league-wide, but considering he’ll be 35 in July, he won’t be command nearly as high as a salary in 2025 (we’re talking much, much less). Atlanta would do well to approach him to join a remade roster as a respected locker-room voice that can provide plenty of contributions on and off the pitch.
Jonathan Lewis, LW
Last team: Colorado Rapids
2024 guaranteed compensation: $435,000
The Rapids didn’t extend Lewis’s contract past 2024, leaving the 27-year-old veteran as a free agent that is worth a look for Atlanta given Xande Silva’s form and injury history. He chipped in 3g/3a in 24 matches for Chris Armas’s side but ultimately found himself not in the club’s plans for 2025. Entering his ninth season, Lewis arguably has his best years ahead of him, and if he’s able to build chemistry on the left side with Pedro Amador and Atlanta’s incoming striker, he’ll have an opportunity to elevate the attack.
Eduard Atuesta, M
Last team: LAFC
2024 guaranteed compensation: $689,700
Midfield was a little interesting for Atlanta United in 2024: Tristan Muyumba entered the season as the starter alongside Bartosz Slisz, was injured, and ultimately lost his job to Jay Fortune. Fortune, for his part, held his own when called upon, but if Atlanta end up shopping Muyumba, Atuesta’s the perfect option. He’s won an MLS Cup, can chip in his share of goal contributions from the midfield (4g/6a in 2024), and is right in that prime age range that Lagerwey prefers. Teams will be lining up to capture his services and Atlanta should be no different.
Ruan, RB
Last team: FC Dallas
2024 guaranteed compensation: $440,000
Depth at right back will be critical for Atlanta in 2025 with Brooks Lennon out until at least March and as long as May, and a player like Ruan could make sense here. He’ll need to take a reduced role as he started all but five games between FC Dallas and CF Montreal in 2024, but if he’s starting 15-20 times next season, it can certainly be a worthwhile investment.
While Atlanta would be Ruan’s fourth team in three seasons, he’d be a solid add to the club, if for no more than a year with an option for 2026.
What do you think? Any free agent names you’d like to see in Atlanta next season?
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Would certainly take Atuesta at that salary, assuming he fits the midfielder mold for the new coach (would really be great to hear at least a rumor from an outside resource to give me some confidence this is getting done).
Ruidiaz is a no for me. I don’t see him dropping his salary to the level needed to make sense. You can get that production from Thiare for a lot less.
But would Thiare make much sense if he’s constantly getting hurt? He seems a bit of a risk to keep around considering one game he does well then all of the sudden, out for 2.
Ruidiaz missed a ton of time last year, so neither have been stellar when it comes to recent injuries. I guess I would opt for the least expensive injury risk.
I’d personally opt for the one who has higher potential of scoring. Ruidiaz is dangerous on the ball, Thiare tends to have 2 left feet when in possession.
Make Atlanta United Great Again
MAUGA?
ruidiaz? yes!
atuesta upgrade from muyumba? yes!
ruan? no thank you.it is a position of need for sure, but imo he’s too much of a dirty player and not someone i would want on the club.
I would take any of them at the right price, but I trust Garth when it comes to value depth pieces that can challenge for a starting spot.
Its the top end signings and everything else in the front office thats going to be the difference between being a championship contender and what we have now.