Atlanta United’s biggest preseason storylines for 2025

Time is an interesting thing.

In some respects, it doesn’t seem that long ago that I was in the Bobby Dodd Stadium press box in 2017 as Atlanta United played its inaugural match. Then again, being on the other side of a global pandemic does make that March evening feel like ages gone by.

Atlanta, now heading into its ninth season, isn’t a new club anymore. But in many ways, it feels like it, given the turnover on the roster, in the technical area, and in the front office. Season 9, then, is arguably the most anticipated of them all outside of the first one, and while there are some pieces of the puzzle missing, there’s a sense of everyone up and down the organization being in sync for the first time in what feels like forever.

Atlanta United 2025 Preseason Schedule

Atlanta players were originally set to report on Saturday with training starting on Monday; they’ll now report Sunday and open training on Tuesday because of the weather. Here are just a few storylines worth tracking:

How much longer can Brad Guzan play at a high level?

This is certainly a full-scale 2025 question, but Guzan’s heroics in the 2024 postseason saw him defy expectations and his own age. That said, Father Time comes for everyone, and Guzan’s number will come up soon.

Atlanta do have Josh Cohen waiting in the wings, and while he wasn’t bad by any stretch of the imagination, fans wouldn’t exatcly be oozing with confidence if the season were to start tomorrow and he was the No. 1 goalkeeper. That’s not to say that he and Jayden Hibbert will be embroiled in a battle for second-choice goalkeeper, though.

Can Alexey Miranchuk become the star Atlanta paid him to be?

The shoes of Thiago Almada were always going to be pretty big ones to fill, and comparing him like-for-like to the Argentinian is unfair, but for a reported $13 million transfer fee and a nearly $3.7 million salary, the margin for error is razor thin for Miranchuk. Keep in mind, though, that Ronny Deila’s worked with some really good No. 10s in his day.

Chemistry with the incoming striker will be vitally important, but personal improvement will be key for Miranchuk in his first full season in MLS.

How will Mateusz Klich and Cayman Togashi acclimate?

In Mateusz Klich, Atlanta picked up a proven, veteran midfielder, and, if nothing, he’s been a) durable, missing just 3 MLS matches in the two years he’s been in the league, and b) incredibly productive, totaling 22 assists in 2023 and 2024. Yes, he’ll be 35 in June, and yes, his contract is only for one year, but if he’s half the player he was in D.C., he’s an instant upgrade, and preseason will give us some hints as to how Deila plans to utilize him.

Cayman Togashi, meanwhile, may be a new signing at striker, but he has the benefit of being a domestic player and a free transfer, so no visa watch necessary and no waiting until January 31. It was critical that Atlanta addressed its depth at striker sooner rather than later to avoid opening the preseason with Jamal Thiare as the only first-team No. 9 on the roster — and that’s not to mention Thiare’s, well, sketchy injury history.

More reinforcements are coming

The starting No. 9 is coming, as are key backups and depth pieces that the club is “far along” in the process of bringing in, per Garth Lagerwey. I’d expect at least one of those reinforcements to have MLS experience, and I’d expect left back to be an area of focus with Pedro Amador the only natural LB on the roster. Left wing is another major area of need because it’s only Xande Silva and Luke Brennan there right now.

In other words, it’s been quiet outside of Togashi, but it won’t stay that way for long.

Will Luis Abram and Edwin Mosquera last through preseason?

We’ve mentioned it and others have mentioned it: Luis Abram’s contract is an albatross. Problem is that there aren’t many teams that would be willing to bring him in for what will amount to a 1-year rental with his deal ending in 2025. The club would be better served eating what’s left of his contract and buying him out, especially with a defender being one of Lagerwey’s offseason priorities.

Three clubs in Colombia kicked the tires on a loan for Edwin Mosquera, but it looks like nothing has come of those potential opportunities — for now.

How will Matt Edwards perform at right back behind Ronald Hernandez?

We’ll go ahead and pencil in Ronald Hernandez, brought back in December, as Feb. 22’s starter at right back, and his role is set to be much, much bigger than in recent years with Brooks Lennon out through at least early March (worst case scenario, early May).

Long story short, Atlanta need depth at right back behind Hernandez, and right now, Matt Edwards, who’s played a grand total of 4 matches with the first team across all competions, is your only true option there. That said, the Homegrown Player, who’s signed through 2025 with options for 2026 and 2027, took his limited chances well and should get plenty of preseason opportunities to put himself in the discussion for minutes when the matches start to count.

Note: don’t be surprised to see Noah Cobb get some preseason minutes on the right, in case a “break glass in case of emergency” scenario crops up in the regular season.

Keep an eye on Will Reilly and Adyn Torres, too

If you’re looking for a couple of other HGPs worth watching, Will Reilly fits the bill, and there might be a world where the former Academy and ATL UTD 2 midfielder — who returned to the club after 4 seasons at Stanford – could affect the first team at least slightly in 2025. Adyn Torres, who has a Portuguese passport and trialed with Porto in the offseason, is a promising prospect that will get some more seasoning with the 2s, but I have a feeling the interest in his services won’t lessen.

I’ll throw Luke Brennan in the “HGPs worth watching” discussion, too, even as he played 7 matches and 147 minutes at the MLS level. He started with the 2s but was available for selection for the bulk of the first team’s matches after June, and could be there again with the lack of depth at left wing (for now).

Meanwhile, Ashton Gordon, whose homegrown deal kicked in on Jan. 1, will spend 2025 with the 2s along with Cooper Sanchez, Dom Chong Qui, and Kaiden Moore, who all will see their homegrown contracts start in 2026. All four, along with a smattering of Academy players, will get some preseason action.