A look back at our 2025 season predictions

You know the saying “hindsight is 20/20?” Well, that’s our theme today as we look back on a 2025 season that was way worse than what we here at Scarves and Spikes thought it would be.

We’re going all the way back to the beginning of 2025, back when we were riding the emotional high of last season’s historic upset of Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the playoffs, had just appointed an MLS Cup-winning head coach, and made two big DP signings, including the return of club legend Miguel Almiron. What could possibly go wrong?

During preseason, our staff gave their predictions of what 2025 would hold in store for the Five Stripes. We also asked y’all, the fans, for your thoughts. Needless to say, we were all off… by A LOT… but at least we can all laugh about it after the fact!

So, without further ado, let’s look back at our 2025 predictions for Atlanta United.

Supporters’ Shield (Actual position: 29)

Sydney: 5th

Tommy: 4th

Tyler: 1st

Grey: 4th

Henry: 4th

Jackson: 4th

Community Predictions: 3rd

On paper, this should’ve been one of the best teams in the league. A squad that showed remarkable fortitude in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs with a historic upset against Inter Miami was improved upon over the offseason. Chris Henderson joined the front office after successful tenures at Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami, and was involved in the process of re-signing club legend Miguel Almiron and breaking the league record transfer fee to sign striker Emmanuel Latte Lath. We were even drooling over what we thought was a masterstroke of genius when the club signed Mateusz Klich from D.C. United without using a designated player slot!

But it didn’t take long for this illusion to fade. Perhaps falling 2-1 to MLS NEXT Pro side Chattanooga FC in preseason should’ve been the first red flag, but the real cracks started to appear when the team began league play. The backline was worryingly slow, allowing opponents to wreak havoc when attacking with pace. And all those expensive attacking additions? They went together about as well as a screen door on a submarine.

Those factors and more often resulted in the Five Stripes being played off the pitch in embarrassing fashion throughout 2025.

Eastern Conference (Actual position: 14)

Sydney: 3rd

Tommy: 2nd

Tyler: 1st

Grey: 3rd

Henry: 3rd

Jackson: 2nd

Community Predictions: 2nd

When making our predictions, we rightly called that the Eastern Conference was going to be a bloodbath. Unfortunately, we didn’t think most of the blood in the bath would be Atlanta’s.

Teams like Philadelphia and Nashville ended up roaring back after missing out on the playoffs in 2024, while others, such as New York City FC and Charlotte FC, upgraded their already competitive squads. This made it impossible for a struggling Atlanta United to stumble into the postseason once again.

MLS Cup Playoffs (Actual finish: Did not qualify)

Sydney: MLS Cup Runner Up

Tommy: MLS Cup Champion

Tyler: MLS Cup Champion

Grey: Eastern Conference Final

Henry: MLS Cup Champion

Jackson: Eastern Conference Final

Community Predictions: Eastern Conference Final

Ok, yeah. Go ahead and laugh. We were all waaaaaaay off. Mostly because we all thought this team would actually make the playoffs.

This season, man.

Leagues Cup (Actual finish: Phase One)

Sydney: Semifinal

Tommy: Quarter Final

Tyler: Quarter Final

Grey: Quarter Final

Henry: Phase One

Jackson: Quarter Final

Community Predictions: Quarter Final

If there’s one thing that Atlanta United is consistent with, it’s being terrible in Leagues Cup. For the third straight year, the Five Stripes failed to advance from Phase One in Leagues Cup in 2025. To be fair, it was much harder to advance this year. Teams basically had to go perfect in their group stage games to even have a shot. Unfortunately, Atlanta United lost its first two games, leaving it eliminated before its third match even kicked off. At least we got that sweet Gonzalo Pineda derby win over Atlas, though! That had to count for something!

Top goalscorer (Emmanuel Latte Lath – 7 goals, 1 assist)

Sydney: Emmanuel Latte Lath – 21 goals, 5 assists

Tommy: Emmanuel Latte Lath – 19 goals, 4 assists

Tyler: Emmanuel Latte Lath – 21 goals, 6 assists

Grey: Miguel Almiron – 14 goals, 10 assists

Henry: Emmanuel Latte Lath – 21 goals, 4 assists

Jackson: Emmanuel Latte Lath – 17 goals, 4 assists

Community Predictions: Emmanuel Latte Lath

Well… technically, a lot of us got this one right… sorta.

When you smash the MLS transfer record with a $22 million fee for striker Emmanuel Latte Lath, you would expect that player to come in and top your scoring charts. Latte Lath did just that! The Ivorian forward racked up five goals and an assist in his first six MLS appearances and seemed to be on track to deliver upon early expectations placed on him, but then he went on a three-month scoring drought, which he only broke with a penalty kick that was nearly saved.

Latte Lath, like the other two designated players, severely underperformed in 2025. Speaking of which…

Top assister (Miguel Almiron – 6 goals, 7 assists)

Sydney: Alexey Miranchuk – 10 goals, 15 assists

Tommy: Miguel Almiron – 8 goals, 13 assists

Tyler: Miguel Almiron – 12 goals, 15 assists

Grey: Mateusz Klich – 3 goals, 12 assists

Henry: Alexey Miranchuk – 7 goals, 15 assists

Jackson: Alexey Miranchuk – 7 goals, 14 assists

Community Predictions: Miguel Almiron

We were mostly split on our predictions here between the two other DPs on the roster: Alexey Miranchuk and Miguel Almiron.

Garth Lagerwey and Chris Henderson seemed very confident that Alexey Miranchuk, the attacking midfielder brought in last summer to replace Thiago Almada, would form a potent connection with Latte Lath. The idea was that the Russian international would be able to play through balls for Latte Lath to run onto with pace. The problem is that Atlanta ended the season with the 12th fewest through balls of any MLS team. Furthermore, Miranchuk’s chance creation never really took off, as he only managed six goals and four assists in league play.

On the other hand, this was supposed to be Miguel Almiron’s triumphant return to Atlanta after six long years. In early preseason, his signing certainly helped drum up the excitement around the team and “Atlanta being back,” but it quickly became evident that he and Miranchuk just don’t mix. Despite Miranchuk clearly not working at the 10 throughout the season, former head coach Ronny Deila rarely opted to deploy Almiron in that role, even though he expressed multiple times that it was the one he felt the most comfortable in.

Needless to say, the production from both left much to be desired.

Most Valuable Player (Bartosz Slisz)

Sydney: Emmanuel Latte Lath

Tommy: Emmanuel Latte Lath

Tyler: Miguel Almiron

Grey: Miguel Almiron

Henry: Emmanuel Latte Lath

Jackson: Mateusz Klich

Community Predictions: Miguel Almiron

Usually, the team’s MVP would be the top scorer or assister, since their goal contributions would pretty much, by definition, make them the most valuable to them. However, both the top goalscorer and top assister this year for Atlanta United were very disappointing. Instead, thanks to your votes in our 2025 Atlanta United Awards, midfielder Bartosz Slisz was named the team’s MVP this season.

The Polish international was one of the few consistent bright spots on this squad, putting in multiple good shifts in midfield to try and give Atlanta some solidity. He was often the team’s most progressive midfielder, helping move the ball upfield and frequently trying to find penetrating passes. He also had some very clutch moments on defense.

But what probably stands out the most from Slisz this season was his xDAWG overload. No matter how bad things got, Slisz always gave everything to try and get results. While it’s undeniable that this team has a culture problem, Slisz is one of those players who can certainly help restore that winning mentality to the locker room.

Most improved player (Ronald Hernandez)

Sydney: Xande Silva

Tommy: Saba Lobjanidze

Tyler: Bartosz Slisz

Grey: Luke Brennan

Henry: Noah Cobb

Jackson: Edwin Mosquera

Community Predictions: Bartosz Slisz

In a season where pretty much no one should’ve been “safe,” Ronald Hernandez took his chance at a bigger role when it came.

About halfway through the season, Brooks Lennon had clearly fallen out of favor with the coaching staff. This meant turning to the Venezuelan international to take his place as the starting right back. Hernandez wasn’t necessarily a groundbreaking revelation, but he got the job done. He made up for his sometimes sketchy defending by connecting well on the right side with Miguel Almiron, creating some eye-catching sequences that often led to some of Atlanta’s best chances.

Bold predictions

Back in our original predictions post, we also gave some of our bold predictions for 2025. As you’re reading through them, keep in mind we had a very positive outlook on what this season would be for this team. I cannot stress this enough: We had no idea it would be this bad.

Sydney: Miguel Almiron scores a hat trick on his debut with Atlanta.

Miguel Almirón debuted in the 2025 season opener against CF Montréal. He did not score in that game; however, he did assist Edwin Mosquera’s game-winning goal.

Tommy: Guzan doesn’t finish the season as…..just kidding. Not doing that again. I see Atlanta setting a record for points won on the road.

Well, you almost had it, Tommy. Unfortunately, the only record Atlanta set on the road was a losing one (1-11-5). The team earned just eight points on the road this season.

Tyler: Miggy’s jersey becomes a top-three seller to go along with the fact he’s a top-three winger. Also, Brad Guzan retires with a victory cigar in his mouth moments after hoisting another MLS Cup…and then becomes another goalkeeping coach.

Miggy’s jersey was actually No. 5 on the best-selling list. He is most certainly NOT a top-three winger. Brad got no such victory cigar as the only trophy the team was close to was the Wooden Spoon. That last part, however… TBD.

Grey: Dominik Chong Qui will score against Inter Miami, Ronan Wynne will start at least 5 matches, Jamal Thiare will somehow add a more exciting goal to his highlight reel than the sneak attack game-winner from last season, Brad Guzan will have his best season as a goalkeeper and will begin negotiating a contract extension by midseason Atlanta United will have its best-ever season scoring from set pieces, and The Peachtree Press will lead to multiple matches where Atlanta is playing up at least two men on the field.

Hoo boy, Grey. Where do we start?

Uhhh… no, no, not really (unless you count his two goals against Columbus that sorta kept the comeback hopes alive), no, definitely not, and no way José.

Henry: Miggy hat trick against Charlotte. ATL will have at least three players in the MLS Best XI at the end of the year and in the All-Star roster.

Miggy did not score in either game against Charlotte and was nowhere close to having any players in the MLS Best XI or the All-Star roster.

Jackson: Edwin Mosquera and Miguel Almiron bond over a mutual love for Dragon Ball Z, and strike up an on-the-field partnership as well (see most improved). What they don’t expect, though, is for the entire team to become hooked on the series- even Ronny Deila, whose practice sessions and tactics draw from his binge-watching of the show. This leads to Atlanta United going on a 15-match win streak, tying the league record.

Wrong Latino teammate. Miggy actually ended up bonding with Ronald Hernandez (who, coincidentally, was named our Most Improved Player). I don’t think Dragon Ball Z caught on with the rest of the group, though. If we’re counting all competitions, Atlanta United went on a 14-match winless streak in the summer. So I guess you were somewhat close?

Your turn

Oh? You thought we were the only ones with bold predictions? We asked some of y’all for your brave takes, and they aged about as well as ours did.

“Atlanta will go unbeaten for the first 3 months of the season.”

Atlanta lost 2-0 on the second matchday to Charlotte FC.

“Over the summer, Lennon is traded to another team in the west for allocation money that gives us the room to bring back Julian Gressel after he falls out of favor in Miami.”

Nope, but Lennon is probably gone as his contract expires. Also, a no on Gresselmania coming back. He’s enjoying the playoffs with Minnesota.

“We have the most goals in a single season for a club in MLS.”

Hahahahahahahahaha… *deep breath* … AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

The team scored a whopping 38 goals… so, nowhere close.

“Ronald Hernandez starts more games for Atlanta United than Brooks Lennon by the end of the season.”

Oooohhh, so close!! They both started 19 games across all competitions, while Brooks Lennon just edges out Ronald Hernandez in MLS starts, 17-16.

“Tommy will shave his beard at some point this season.”

He did not. Trust me, we’re all disappointed.

“Guzan with 8+ clean sheets.”

Guzan finished the 2025 season with two whole clean sheets. Both were 0-0 draws against New York Red Bulls and D.C. United.

“Repeat that 10:30 pm San Jose game on a Wednesday where we were losing 4-2, then won 4-3. Some crazy VAR script flip.”

Not quite, but we did have some close calls! Atlanta was down 3-1 to New York City FC before coming back to win 4-3 in late March. Atlanta also started 5-0 down to Columbus Crew in the first half before almost making a comeback in what was ultimately a 5-4 loss in mid-September.