The 2025 regular season is now in the books, and clubs that have been eliminated from MLS Cup contention are already preparing for 2026. Atlanta is, unfortunately, one of those teams.
MLSPA recently released the list of players eligible for free agency this winter, representing one of the first opportunities for clubs to bolster their rosters this offseason. With several interesting names among this year’s free agent class, let’s take a look at a few that could be good additions for the Five Stripes.
Goalkeepers
With Brad Guzan retired and both of the other goalkeepers on expiring contracts, the club will need to add at least one more to round out its corps. Chris Henderson has already stated that the club is looking for a new starting goalkeeper, which may or may not be Jayden Hibbert. I believe it will be Hibbert, which means the club may be in the market for a third-string GK.
Since we’re essentially looking for a backup to the backup, the priority should be finding someone with reasonable ability and a low salary. Here are a couple of viable options:
David Bingham — $104,000 salary
There’s no better deal than a senior minimum salary!
Currently, Charlotte FC’s backup, Bingham, has started six games across three different competitions this season. In those games, he conceded eight goals and kept two clean sheets, generating a respectable shot-stopping G+ of 0.46.
After stints at Portland Timbers, LA Galaxy, and San Jose Earthquakes under his belt, the 35-year-old California native would bring a wealth of MLS experience to Atlanta’s GK group.
Ben Lundt — $172,833 salary
Although you’d be paying a slightly higher salary than with Bingham, you could also have him for a longer period of time. The 30-year-old Berlin native has started 10 matches for St. Louis CITY across all competitions, keeping three clean sheets and conceding 14 goals, which is not bad considering we’re talking about St. Louis here.
Lundt is a guy who can reasonably hold things down if [insert unknown starting goalkeeper name here] misses time due to injury or international duty for a relatively low cost.
Defenders
Atlanta United’s defense has conceded 57 goals this season, and there are still two trips to Inter Miami and LAFC on the schedule, so you can bet that number will go up. Fullback has been something of a problem position for the Five Stripes throughout 2025, so I expect they may try to address it through free agency. That’s why I put together three fullbacks that I think would be good pickups for Atlanta.
Franco Escobar, right back — $599,167 salary
I can already hear the click-clack of your keyboards as a dozen of you flock to the comments to cry out, “No more nostalgia signings!” And to that I say, let me cook.
While yes, a nearly $600,000 salary for an out-of-prime right back isn’t ideal, we’re talking about Franco Escobar here, who ages like fine Argentinian wine. He’s still a regular starter for the Houston Dynamo and a top fullback in defense (89th percentile in tackles, 97th percentile in interceptions, and 88th percentile in blocks).
Besides, if the club is committed to playing Miguel Almiron on the right wing, at least he’ll have Escobar, someone he understands very well from playing with him in 2018, to link up with.
Andy Najar, right back (pending option) — $280,000 salary
Looking for an MLS veteran who is solid on defense AND contributes in the attack? Look no further than Andy Najar. He’s been a mainstay in Nashville SC’s lineup throughout 2025 and is having a career year with 2g/7a in 31 MLS appearances. He has the third-highest passing G+ (0.10) among MLS fullbacks behind only Philadelphia Union’s Kai Wagner (0.13) and San Jose Earthquakes’ Cristian Espinoza (who I wouldn’t call a fullback!) (0.11), which shows just how good he can be when he gets up into the final third.
Now, there are a couple of challenges with Najar. For starters, he has an option, and I’d be shocked if Nashville doesn’t trigger it. Second, he is going on 33 years of age, which means that he’s getting further from his prime by the minute. There’s no guarantee that Atlanta would be getting the same version of him that was so productive for Nashville in 2025.
I will say though, that signing him on a $300,000 contract or thereabouts would be an absolute steal.
Anthony Markanich Jr., left back (pending option) — $104,000 salary
Much like Najar, Markanich has an option that I expect to be picked up, but if, for some reason, it isn’t, this is someone Atlanta needs to pounce on.
For starters, he can play left back or left midfielder in a midfield four, making him a versatile player if the team needs to change shape or tactics. Second, he has the second-best overall G+ (0.29) of fullbacks in MLS who have played at least 1700 minutes, behind only Orlando City’s Alexander Freeman (0.33). He is very strong on defense, having the highest interrupting (defending) G+ (0.14) among MLS fullbacks.
The best part? He’s on a senior minimum salary and is smack dab in the middle of the age range for prime age players at 25 years old.
Midfielders
Atlanta United already has a lot of midfielders on its roster, but here are a couple of folks that could come in and play important roles in the squad.
César Araújo, defensive midfielder — $548,000 salary
The 24-year-old Uruguayan midfielder would be a solid addition to any team. He reminds me of a slightly faster Steven Alzate, possessing strong dribbling abilities which he uses to escape pressure and progress play. He ranks 22nd among MLS midfielders with over 1700 minutes in G+ boost (-0.03), which is a metric that looks at what happens after a player plays a pass. His G+ of 0.17 also puts him in good company with the likes of LAFC’s Timothy Tillman (0.16), Philly’s Jovan Lukić (0.15), and San Diego FC’s Luca de la Torre (0.11).
A solid midfielder who is in his prime, takes up a reasonable salary, AND doesn’t take up an international slot is amazing business, but is he a good fit for Atlanta? Assume you do sign him, who do you drop from the starting lineup to bring him on? Bartosz Slisz? Alzate? You have homegrowns Jay Fortune and Will Reilly returning to the bench next season. Do you put Araújo in their way?
Daniel Pereira, center midfielder (pending option) — $514,375 salary
Since Austin FC’s expansion season in 2021, Dani Pereira has been an important piece in the team’s midfield. He can play both as an eight or a six, displays quick pace for a midfielder, and is capable of playing some good long balls.
Pereira has 1g/3a in 25 MLS appearances this season and has the 14th highest overall G+ (0.17) of MLS center midfielders, making him comparable to players like San Diego FC’s Onni Valakari (0.19), Minnesota United’s Robin Lod (0.19), and Orlando City’s Eduard Atuesta (0.20).
I strongly expect Austin to pick up his option, but if, for some reason, they don’t, Atlanta should seriously consider signing him.
Forwards
Both of Atlanta United’s backup strikers are on contract years, and the squad sorely needs better wingers. Here are some forwards the club can add to its ranks ahead of 2026!
Josef MartÃnez (pending option) — $1.45 million salary
Oh yeah, you knew he had to be here.
While Miguel Almiron’s re-signing and Tata Martino’s potential return might be enough nostalgia for some, this wouldn’t just be about getting the band back together. Josef had a spectacular 2025 season despite the Quakes not making the playoffs. He led the team with 14g/2a in 30 games, showing week in and week out that he’s absolutely still got it.
The craziest part? He isn’t even a designated player on San Jose’s roster.
If Atlanta can sign Josef on a TAM deal, similar to the contract he’s currently on, it may be worth considering. Josef himself has said that no one understands him like Miggy, with the Paraguayan midfielder making similar remarks about their bond. Reuniting them on the field could be a strong motivator for both, which could significantly boost the team’s goal output.
I expect San Jose to pick up his option, but keep an eye out just in case.
Paul Rothrock — $104,000 salary
“Messi is arguably the best player we have ever seen, but we have Paul Rothrock.”
That’s a badass quote from Seattle Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer that should tell you just how much of a baller Rothrock is. The 26-year-old Seattle native is having a career season, racking up 4g/7a in 33 regular season appearances in 2025.
Rothrock stands out for his instinct in the final third. He has a knack for knowing when to pop up to make the most impact. Whether it’s making intelligent runs, pressing at just the right time, or just appearing at the back post, Rothrock just gets the basic things right. Sometimes, that’s all it takes.
While the Sounders may offer him a new contract, and he likely would rather stay in his hometown, this could be a very interesting addition for Atlanta. Especially if he can be signed at a relatively low salary.
Indiana Vassilev — $381,750 salary
You know how a Swiss army knife is very useful? Well, Indiana Vassilev can be exactly that on a team’s roster. He is capable of playing A LOT of positions. And I mean A LOT.
Mainly, though, he plays as either a winger or a No. 10, which can actually work very well for Atlanta. The only No. 10s on the roster right now are Alexey Miranchuk and Miguel Almiron. Lately, both have missed time due to international duty, leaving the team without a playmaker for some games. Furthermore, the team’s wingers have been highly inconsistent in 2025, so another option to add competition there could be useful.
As a Savannah native, Vassilev could be happy with a return to Georgia, and signing him on to about a $400,000 salary seems like decent business.
What do you think of these free agent targets? Are there any others on the list that you think would be a good fit for Atlanta United? Let me know in the comments below.
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[…] negotiations with the club over a new contract. If he is not signed to a new contract, he will be eligible for free agency. The 28-year-old Venezuelan international started 19 games across all competitions in 2025, finding […]
love Josef, but his salary would have to come down a bunch (something less than $900K) to make sense for a backup striker. If we get Tata and rework the roster, I think that ELL will begin to perform at old Josef levels.
Not sure I agree. You can have starters and assume they’re the ones that make the most money but you need a cohesive team that can be ready to go and be the starter if needed and it shouldn’t be based on salary.
i’d take either defender over Escobar. He’s even fallen out of favor at Houston and while I’ve always liked his grit, he’s a bit of a liability too.
Rothrock & Vassilev would be awesome, as would Josef but still don’t think that’ll happen. Cesar, nah, don’t think he would come here anyways.
this offseason is going to be spicy, can’t wait.
I’m curious whether we will need one or two veteran goalkeepers this offseason. Ideally, we would have a player who can step in and get a few starts while Hibbert is training with the Canadian NT before the World Cup. David Bingham feels like a good fit for this spot. If we don’t keep Cohen, I hope we bring in another MLS veteran who loves studying tape and could help lead the opposition 11 in training to prepare the team for each match. It helps to have two experienced backup keepers who become extensions of the coaching staff.
We could upgrade the starting spot at both fullback positions, but I agree with other commenters who want to wait until we learn who our new coach will be to understand the system we will be playing. Franco Escobar would be great as both a traditional RB and a RCB in a back-3. His playing style would be a compelling model for Matt Edwards to study as he continues to develop.
We potentially need another veteran CB. I still expect Nigel Prince to come back this winter and I anticipate Sal Mazzaferro, Ronan Wynne, and Toto Majub will return to the 2s with a chance to compete for a roster spot in training camp, but all of them will likely begin the season with 2s contracts. We need one more veteran to fill out that group. Jack Elliott would be fantastic if Chicago doesn’t pick up his option for some odd reason, same with Tennage Hadebe or Matt Miazga. More realistically, Ryan Sailor, Damion Lowe, Thiago Martins, Robin Jansson, or Tim Parker could all be veteran options depending on their availability and price.
I really like our young midfield pool. Fortune, Reilly, and Sanchez are a great trio of players to have at the 6/8 position, with Fortune potentially able to play more of a 10/8 hybrid. If Slisz isn’t sold this winter, I bet he gets a lot of calls next summer, especially if Poland qualifies and he is part of that squad. I’m not convinced that Muyumba or Alzate are a good fit there, but we will have to see who the next coach is. I’m also not sure who our 10 will be without knowing the system. Miranchuk and Miggy are two very different kinds of 10s.
We could shuffle our CF pool. Josef would be an intriguing option if the price is right. If ELL is called up by Ivory Coast to the World Cup, we should have someone who can cover for him. Is that Thiare? Maybe. I also believe Patrick Weah should be in consideration for a roster spot in 2026, and Rodrigo Neri could earn an opportunity in camp. There are also a handful of intriguing CFs in the Superdraft this year, especially if the Generation Adidas signings shake out as expected. Maybe UVA’s Nicholas Simmonds will be suiting up for us next year.
We also need a LW. I like Brennan and want to see him get every chance to succeed. We also need experience at that position. Fafa Picault could be a good rotational option with Brennan, as could a U22 or Indiana Vassilev.
josef…yes please. call me sentimental, but i’ll take him back in a heartbeat. with miggy at the 10 and miranchuk on the left. fortune and reilly behind them and hibbert in goal. of course you need depth if josef is your 9, but c’mon…just for the vibes, i’m in.
i would rather have najar than escobar. cheaper by far and in better form, imo. really don’t expect him to be available though.
vassilev as a spot starter and super sub…i’m in on that too. rothrock is a pipedream. seattle is never letting him go. but i love that you included him. that would be an awesome get.
please can i have a manager now?
I really like Vassilev. Having guys that can play well in a few slots is always a nice thing to have. I’m not opposed to Joesf returning. I just think he’s going to be really expensive for a backup/rotation player. He’s coming off his best year since the ACL tear. Though, it could be good insurance in the event ELL never gets on track.
Tough to say about FBs until we know who the new manager is. Do they want FBs that constantly bomb forward and combine in the attack, or do they prefer guys that stay home more as defenders? Do they even want true FBs versus WBs who would be necessary to provide the width in the formation? I think Escobar is a good defender who probably still has some good years left, but that seems kind of like a high salary for a 30 year old RB that piles up YCs (11, 12, and 10 over the last three seasons). Of course, we are void of guys that have some MFer in them. Esco has that.
That’s part of what’as been missing in this team since … [checks calendar] … 2019
I think CB, FB, and DCM are the most important. I know we have some depth at CM, but so many of them are regular call ups to their national teams, so it would be great to get some solid players that do not get called up regularly.
I would go with Escobar, Josef Martinez, Lundt, and Vassilev.
Vassilev could be very useful with all the international play in 2016.
We don’t need a midfielder. I think Miranchuk could feed Josef very well, and he’d get all those headers that Latte Lath (who should leave) would get. We also have Fortune and Reilly next year. Great article, thanks!