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by Brett Rogers
With five games remaining, a loss to the Columbus Crew eliminated Atlanta United from the playoffs and effectively brought an end to meaningful soccer in the 2025 season. Rightfully so, Atlanta United has been disappointing all season and far below deserving of a playoff spot.
MLS Cup contention was the expectation going into the season and instead, the team is fighting to avoid the Wooden Spoon. Understandably, many season ticket holders, including some longtime and prominent in the fan base, have not renewed for next season. Enthusiasm for the team has hit rock-bottom.
I share the disappointment felt by much of the fanbase. Frankly, we deserved better than the on-field product that we endured this season. The only way for the front office to build enthusiasm for 2026 is through major changes by the club. What does that look like?
Fire Ronny Deila, now
Is this season’s failure solely on Deila? No. He was hired late in the offseason, resulting in limited time to learn the roster and prepare the team before opening day. He inherited a roster that had significant flaws apparent in the 2024 season. Performances from the big offseason signings of Emmanuel Latte Lath, Miguel Almiron, and Mateusz Klich were below anything that can be blamed on the coaching staff alone. And there were injuries, particularly the backline, that likely resulted in a couple of dropped games.
However, good coaches find ways to win. Deila has done the opposite.
The team has consistently looked unprepared and unclear of their assignments — whether attacking or defending — particularly on set pieces and transition moments. Deila continued to start players in poor form (e.g., Brad Guzan, Brooks Lennon, Tristan Muyumba, and all three DPs) well past the point when it was obvious that something needed to change, while others were relegated to the bench for no apparent reason.
Deila’s in-game management has been questionable at best. Substitutions were often late, resulting in players being played out of position, and were seemingly unresponsive to player performance or game state. Tactical changes have been nearly nonexistent outside of late-game desperation and, when implemented, were often sloppy and ineffective.
More time is not needed. Deila has shown nothing that would give hope that things will improve with tweaks to the roster and an offseason reset. Pull the band-aid off and get the search started now so the new coach can be in place before the winter window signings.
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Make the necessary (and painful) cuts
Just swapping the coach is not going to bring fans back. Chris Henderson has indicated that the team will be very active in the winter window to build on the roster fixes made in the summer. Good, because it is needed.
The primary goals should be cleaning the roster cap allocation, moving on from players under performing their cap hit, and increasing roster flexibility. The good news is that there is a lot of room for movement. Lennon, Jamal Thiare, Josh Cohen, Ronald Hernandez, Jay Fortune, Cayman Togashi, Matt Edwards, Nyk Sessock, and Leo Afonso have club options for 2026. Edwin Mosquera, on loan with Millonarios, could be purchased by them. Guzan is out of contract.
To start, the team needs to shake off nostalgia. One of the hardest things in sports is moving on from a longtime player in decline. With all the reverence they have earned, Guzan and Lennon’s time with the team needs to come to an end.
Next, look to move on from underperforming players. This starts with Muyumba, who has continued to struggle and carries a hefty cap hit, but may include players like Cohen and Hernandez. Muyumba may still have value to another team, but if a buyer cannot be found, he should be a buyout candidate.
More painful, and perhaps controversial, are Thiare and Saba Lobjanidze. (Saba would require being sold or a buyout.) Both give maximum effort every time that they touch the pitch, have accepted bench roles, and appear to be great team players. However, neither is starter quality, and both make too much to be backups, combining for nearly $2 million in salary against the cap.
If the front office is willing to make the necessary moves, there will be a wealth of cap space and roster slots to address the obvious gaps in the winter window and still be able to carry over flexibility for additional moves in the Summer Window.
Figure out the attack
Atlanta United spent league record money on the attack ahead of this season and is in the bottom 10 in goals scored. Will some of that be fixed with rest and bringing in a new true left winger? Probably, but there remains an undeniable fit issue with the three DPs.
In the last two matches, Almiron has played at the 10, with Alexey Miranchuk out and subbed off early as he recovers from a bone bruise. In both games he has looked the part, matching the pace of the other attackers, consistently progressing the ball up field, and overall providing a much more dynamic presence in the midfield. Miranchuk and Almiron have both struggled this season, but Almiron is a better fit for Atlanta United and should be the 10 in 2026.
With a limited number of DP slots, this means moving Miranchuk, even at a loss. With a DP slot open, a player matching the new coach and needs of the rest of the team can be brought in and create a splash to get fans in seats.
I do not want to trivialize the suggested actions above. Firing the coach less than a year after you hired them is hard, moving a DP you signed is hard, and cutting current players and signing new ones at multiple positions is hard.
Like so many others, I deeply want to be enthusiastic about Atlanta United going into 2026. However, that enthusiasm will not get the benefit of the doubt and will only come if the front office responds to the worst season in club history with quick, decisive, and meaningful action.
I agree with pretty much all of this. I think Deila needs to go, and they need to have a replacement lined up when the season ends. I’m not positive the FO share this view. If Deila is back, I’ll be rooting for him to start 2026 hot and keep it on track. I just don’t know that he can.
I think you’re also dead on with Miranchuk being the DP to try to move out. He’d be the least costly hit, and I think he’s the odd fit of the three. His lack of pace really limits the impact he can make on games. He’s clearly a good player with strong technical skill and good vision/creativity. Hopefully, some club needs this kind of player to punch up their attack this winter. Turn that DP spot into a high-caliber wing.
I’m not totally out on Saba as a starter, yet. He’s had a rough season, but he’s kind of seen his role changed more game to game over the season than anyone. I’m not sure that’s the way to get a struggling player on track. He’s also out of contract after next year, so he could maybe be easily moved since we’d probably only look for a nominal transfer fee.
I’d let most of the guys on options walk. Fortune would be a definite pick up. I’d probably also keep Thiare and Hernandez. Realistically, there’s only so many moves to make per window. Those guys might be more than we want to pay for those roles, but they have proven valuable. Thiare can start when needed and has been fairly productive. Hernandez has been a solid rotation player for several years now, and can play either side at FB or even outside CB in a pinch.
Muyumba has to go, be it a transfer or buyout. He’s way too expensive to be a backup mid, and he’s not been particularly dependable when he plays. He seems to make at least one costly turnover or mistake per half. Thiare is about the same cost but actually plays well most of the time.
Assuming Miranchuk goes, a DP LW and a high-end RB are the top targets in my mind. A lot of the rest is finding deeper bench guys. I’m assuming Hibbert is going to be the starting GK in 2026, unless he falls apart down the stretch (I don’t really put much, if any, of that 5-goals allowed debacle on him).
Score goals. I said Pineda was a bad hire even if he worked out and stand by that. Score.
Most of the people here want results. The average fan wants fun, and many would rather see 3-3 (or even 2-3/3-4) than 1-0.
I think it’s been made clear that the FO has no desire to win back the fans. I knew Deila was a bad choice from the beginning. Just look at his past record as manager: he’s rarely been in a job for more than a year or two. Pineda was also a bad choice. We need experience and success in that position to help fix the absolute dumpster fire we find ourselves in, and they refuse to go get it. I assume Deila will stay another year, which means another year with no playoffs, so I guess another year where I’ll, at most, go to a few home games for the concessions because my family still has season tickets. I imagine we’ll see the lowest attendance in our history next season as well.
Thank you for the article. There is not much I agree with other than Guzan is well past his prime, and a new right back is needed.
I for one thought Pineda was given 3 years too many, and though I’m disappointed in Deila, I think it would be ludicrous to bring in another coach this off season to be put in the same position he was thrown into. Give him at least half the season, if he hasn’t improved, then bring in a World Cup coach mid season to start building off of (and please do not prioritize MLS experience)
Top of the list for players to be moved on immediately is Saba. Effort doesn’t equal results and he has under performed Araujo’s contract at this point. Muyumba, sure, but not before Saba, that lack of contribution from that position has more negatively impacted this team than any others this season (I realize it is a hot take, but I am serious on that opinion)
Thiarre is not the problem. ELL, I would want to see moved but obviously the salary is an issue. If money was not an issue, I would move in him immediately even at a loss. Miranchuck has out performed Miggy in a lot of ways, unfortunately they are only just now learning how to work together, if at all, which is squarely on an analytics and scouting front offices shoulders more than anyone. I think a new formation or tactics are needed for two players like that to play together.
Cohen and Hernandez are perfectly suitable bench players to push our starters to stay in form. I wouldn’t move on from either of them.
Thanks Antzhort, for the thoughtful response. If I were to bet today, I think Deila is back next season.
I’m not as far off your assessment of Muyumba vs Saba as the article may make it seem. I actually view Saba and Muyumba in one tier and Thiare in another. I thought narratively connecting Saba and Thiare as more controversial move-on selections read better. Saba still having a lot of love from past performance and, as you noted as well, effort and Thiare being very good as a bench option, just too expensive for me. Maybe the club signs him to a 2-3 year 500k deal and I’m all in.
I actually agree with your hot take that Saba has probably been the bigger impact but with a small caveat that Fortune being injured and Klich poor performance put Muyumba into a starting role. i.e. the team was counting on Saba being good vs Muyumba was likely meant to be a backup for in serious competition for a starting spot.
I cut a section on ELL due to the word count getting high. Short version is yes he was bad this year, too expensive to move, we just have to hope he is better next season.
The Miranchuk – Miggy fit is a serious issue. Maybe a formation change is the key. Maybe a 3-4-2-1 or 4-3-2-1 is an answer. But assuming we stick with the “modern game” 4-2-3-1 Miranchuk’s low assist production, which I feel is due to his lack of pace and tendency to pass the ball back rather than up the field, make him a poor fit for what you would traditionally be looking for in the 10. Which as you noted is on the scouting department. Miggy, in a very small sample size of two games, has looked much closer to that prototypical number 10 in a 4-2-3-1.
I am also agree that the scouting department needs a shake-up. I didn’t include it in this article because would it make a difference in terms on enthusiasm for next year to the average fan, maybe, idk?
Right. As for the question in the title of your article… (obviously) the answer is, ‘win’.
How to do that, is of course a series of paths and moves that have to be done in concert with the entire club. Not one thing necessarily – for that I definitely agree with what you’ve presented.
My eyes are on Chris Henderson at this point. It feels like we have lost any identity that maybe we once had – years ago. So sticking with a team during the hard times has become that much harder to cheer for. Winning solves a lot of problems. (I remember a day that winning alone wasn’t good enough for this fanbase, #spoiled- but I digress). I just want to get back to winning, however we get there, I’ll support.
Selling a performing DP to replace our “non-performing, third-most expensive MLS DP” in that position is a bulletproof strategy. We should implement this every transfer window, alongside the annual coach change. Financially, it’s a smart move, and good luck explaining that to Uncle Arthur. Also, when was the last time Miggy played as a 10? Was it five or seven years ago?
Thanks Nick for reading and commenting.
For what it is worth, I was underwhelmed by Miranchuk at the end of last season but willing to give it another year. Another year has past and I’m even more underwhelmed. Miranchuk nor Miggy (nor ELL) are performing at a DP level. I do agree that Miggy, especially in goals scored is way underperforming. Likewise, Miranchuk is underperforming in assists. For me what I’ve seen from Miggy at the 10 he looks better, albeit it is a very small recent sample size and maybe I’m just grasping for some glimmer of hope.
In regards to the last time Miggy played at the 10? The checky answer is Saturday and the Saturday before, but the real answer is at least in 2021-23. He played the 10 for Paraguay. But you are certain right that he has been on the wing consistently recent year. The answer could equally be moving Miranchuk and bring in a more attack minded 10 and leaving Miggy on the RW.
All that being said, if I look into my crystal ball I think all three DPs are back next year. If so I’m hoping we see some better chemistry translate into wins. Maybe that comes with a formation/strategy change, like a 3-4-2-1 or 4-3-2-1. Either way I never root against a player so if Miranchuk is back I’m hoping he is an MVP contender.
I want to play a cheetah at left wing. Like air bud but with a giant cat instead.
I don’t see any rules saying a cheetah can’t play soccer. I’m down to try! Haha!
I’m even more on board if it comes with an emotional support dog.
I don’t like Deila, but I still think it is crazy to think a good coach can only be good if they are good out of the gate. I personally think Atlanta gave Pineda too long of a leash, but I think you need to give a coach at least 2 years to see improvement. Since Atlanta has not been good for a while now, one more season is not going to make a difference for me. I also think certain players mesh a little bit better with certain players. Like Lennon and Saba has good chemistry, but Hernandez and Saba do not. Lennon and Almiron is bad, but Hernandez and Almiron work well. It is quite odd to see. I do think Latte having a regular offseason will hopefully help get his head on straight. Which is actually quite common to see when a European league player comes over to MLS during the summer window.
Thanks Schyoo. Honestly, I don’t think any coach come have taken this roster with all the injuries and whatnot to MLS Cup contention that was being talked about in the beginning of the year. Too much went wrong to put solely on Deila but I do believe he is responsible for more that a couple drop matches himself.
If Deila returns next year, which I do think will happen, I will be rooting for him as much as anyone. I hope he proves me wrong, and I need to write an Apology article this time next year.
I also agree on the player meshing being a bit odd. Especially since Saba and Almiron’s play styles aren’t that different. I was not the biggest fan of Lennon playing LB when Amador was injured but keeping him and Saba together did work better than I expected.
I made the same note in response to another comment above. I cut a section on ELL due to word count. I’m equally hopeful ELL will bounce back after full offseason, hoping the same for Miggy.
I agree on most. Jamal I’m fine with keeping and I think Ronald Hernandez has earned it as well. But yes, we need an overhaul. You nailed the points on coach. His tactics have not fit natural positions, subs too late, and my gosh he has been stubborn with shape/formation. We need to be looking for THE guy to lead this team now. Idk who that is, but Ronny ain’t up for it. What a waste of season that should have been.
Thanks Jordan. Nailed on the head – absolute waste of a season.
I think Hernandez will be buried on depth chart next year. A starting RB should be priority in the Winter Window and I have Edwards as the back-up. That would put Hernandez completing for the third string RB. Certainly on his current deal that would be too much, even if he is a great locker-room guy. If he sign closer to veteran minimum, I’d definitely consider him coming back.
Yea that makes sense. Hernandez has become one of my favorites, but yea, the salary is a little steep
If Miggy is to step into the #10 role he needs to go back to shooting school. His lack of ability to hit the target is stunning. Alexey at least has had some bangers…
100%. Miggy’s shot has been off all season. Ironically, Miggy and Alexey stats are backwards. With Miggy leading in assists and Alexey leading in non-PK goals.
Miggy has not been a consistent high value goal scorer since the the 2017 and 2018 season. If the team moves on from Miranchuk and Miggy is slotted in the 10, I would be skeptical of high Goals from Miggy and prioritize consistent scoring ability from the wings.
Agree on Deila firing and with moving on from Miranchuk, Muyumba, Saba, Lennon, and Guzan. I disagree on Thiare (his performances in the past few games with Miggy at 10 have been good – especially this last weekend). Cohen and Hernandez are harder questions. Miggy should stay with a clear understanding that he will be the 10 next year, and ELL needs to produce next year. As for the others, give them playing time during the remaining games and let’s see. We should be able to create enough cap room to bring in some very good players (in general, our pay scale tends to be well above the wages in the Championship), as well as a really good DP winger.
Thanks for the comment. I completely agree that Thiare has looked good and debated included him alongside Saba in the too expensive backup category. I would not feel bad about Thiare coming back but I would question if it is good cap allocation. Ultimately, given Thiare’s injury history and ELL’s ability to go the full 90′, I leaned toward moving on.