With preseason training kicking off in a few days, the countdown to the 2026 MLS season is rapidly winding down. The Five Stripes, once again under the legendary Tata Martino, will look to improve significantly after a disastrous 2025 season.
The offseason work has already begun, with a couple of signings already confirmed, another reportedly near completion and the sale of Bartosz Slisz, which opens the door to more additions in this window. But is this enough to make Atlanta United competitive?
With 21 days until Atlanta’s first preseason test against Lexington SC, here are five questions I have about the squad as it stands.
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1. What is the team’s identity?
“Identity” is a word that I’m sure many in the Five Stripes’ fanbase are sick of hearing at this point.
Unfortunately, it’s a common talking point that the team doesn’t have a clear identity. Over the past few seasons, there has been a lack of a discernible plan for how the team wants to win games. Does it want to be a high-pressing killer in transition? Is it going to pull apart defenses with 50 passes before delivering a final blow?
Gonzalo Pineda (2021-2024) tried to instill a possession-based system that aimed to build out from the back – something the team struggled to do because its personnel on the backline and midfield weren’t very good at playing through pressure. Ronny Deila (2025) attempted a similar model with more emphasis on drawing the opposition further in and playing out through the flanks. He encountered a similar problem, but with the added challenge of not having any wingers who could reliably beat their man, except for maybe Miguel Almirón.
So what will Tata Martino bring? Well, if his 2017-18 Atlanta United teams are anything to go by, we can expect aggressive pressing, quick transitions and positional fluidity from players. This is going to require a tremendous amount of discipline and coordination from a group that seemed incredibly disjointed for much of 2025.
Can Tata really make magic happen with this squad?
2. Who will play the 10?
Atlanta United has a big dilemma: There are two players on the roster who prefer to play at the No. 10 spot.
Alexey Miranchuk has held the spot since coming in as Thiago Almada’s replacement in the summer of 2024, but he hasn’t exactly lived up to the Argentine playmaker’s ability. The Russian international had just four assists in the 2025 season, finishing in the 21st percentile in assists and 49th percentile in key passes according to FBRef.
Then, there’s club legend Miguel Almiron, who was the team’s No. 10 during its best period from 2017-18. During that period, he racked up 21g/28a and helped the team win an MLS Cup. He didn’t quite have the same impact upon his grand return to the club, however. In 2025, he only managed 6g/7a, but he was also playing much more on the wing.
In his introductory press conference, Tata Martino said the club had to “build the team around Miguel” and “surround him better,” which suggests that he sees the Paraguayan international as the cornerstone of this new project.
Personally, I see Almirón as the more creative of the two, and I think his qualities make him the better fit to be the team’s main playmaker in 2026, but Martino also asserted in his presser that he believes both can function well on the field together.
That begs the question…
3. What will happen to the player who doesn’t play the 10?
I think the answer to this question heavily differs based on which player isn’t playing the 10, so I’ll discuss my thoughts on both.
Miguel Almirón
The easy answer here is to put Miggy back on the wing. Although his output wasn’t impressive and his speed isn’t what it used to be, he wasn’t necessarily bad on the wing last season. He is very much capable of beating defenders on the dribble and can still play some good line-breaking passes when he cuts inside.
He could also play as a second striker, as he did at times back in 2017-18. The dual striker setup would allow him to drop back slightly to receive the ball before distributing.
Alexey Miranchuk
If Miranchuk isn’t playing the 10, the most obvious second choice for where to put him is at center midfielder. He played variations of this role throughout the 2025 season, first starting as a kind of deep-lying playmaker way back in March before being deployed as more of a right-sided No. 8 in a three-man midfield around the summertime.
While these positions gave him more space to ping long balls out wide and support build up into the final third, they also left the team more exposed due to his defensive shortcomings. He doesn’t cover ground very quickly, which makes it easy for opponents to expose space behind him in transition.
His lack of pace is also why I hesitate to play him as a winger, but perhaps he could work as a second striker.
Miranchuk’s best quality last season was his ability to find the net from distance. Anytime he got the ball at the top of the box, you just knew it was a chance. So what if the team tried getting him the ball closer to the box? Position him up top with Emmanuel Latte Lath and give him minimal defensive responsibility (it’s not like he was helping you much in that department anyway) so that when he receives the ball, he’s in a better position to take those shots.
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4. Where will the wide threat come from?
One thing that was essential to Tata Martino’s success in his first stint at the club was using the flanks to create danger in the attacking third. He will likely try to do the same now, but how?
The current winger options are extremely limited. Almirón and Saba Lobjanidze are the only two options on the right, with the latter having had a tremendous fall-off from his 9g/7a season in 2024. The only true left winger on the roster is Luke Brennan, a homegrown who showed flashes of potential during the last campaign. You could also play Santiago Pita at left wing, but the 18-year-old has no first team experience.
Wingers
Let’s assume for a moment that the team will deploy a two-winger setup – whether that’s the usual 4-2-3-1 or something else entirely. The only good starting options at the moment are Almiron and Lobjanidze. The only way this will work, though, is if Lobjanidze starts on the right. He proved throughout the 2025 season that he is woefully ineffective on the left, unable to beat defenders on the dribble (14th percentile in successful take-ons per FBRef) and very inaccurate in his shooting (18th percentile in percentage of shots on target). Being on the right side at least helps him be on his crossing foot, allowing him to send cutbacks in early.
This would mean putting Almiron on the left, where he played for a few games at the end of last season and where he often plays with the Paraguayan National Team.
I don’t mind the idea of Almiron playing on the left, but what I’m not a fan of is having two starting wingers over 30. Wingers need pace and agility to be able to pose as much of a threat on the attack and destabilize back lines. That goes down with age, something that was evident in both of those players in 2025. It doesn’t get better.
Fullbacks
What if the team elects to use a setup without wingers? Something like the 3-5-2 that Tata used back in 2018, especially during the playoffs. In that case, the width would come from the fullbacks.
Given the current group, Tomás Jacob would be the starting right fullback while Pedro Amador starts on the left. However, reporting suggests that the club is close to completing the signing of U22 left back Elías Báez, who I assume is being brought in to start over Amador.
However, both Jacob and Báez excel more on the defensive side of the game. They are good tacklers and have impressive defensive stats, but are not as effective going forward. Fortunately, they both have potential, which means that it is a part of their game that can develop under Tata, but it won’t happen overnight.
With the state of the roster right now, the most logical choice, in my opinion, is that the width will mainly come from the fullbacks pushing up into the attack. The winger options aren’t great, and I believe Almirón will play centrally either in the No. 10 role or as a second striker. If Almirón does play the 10, his tendency to drift out wide in support may help create overloads on the flanks, but the team will also need to pose a credible threat with its fullbacks.
5. What formation will the team use?
The four previous questions have all led to this: What shape will we see the team play in?
That heavily depends on the personnel available, which, as it stands, doesn’t give us a lot to work with. Therefore, before we start talking about the formations, here’s a look at the depth chart as things stand on Jan. 9, 2026.
Right off the bat, you can tell that there are still many holes. There are three (four if you count Jacob) center backs on the roster, including Juan Berrocal — whose loan from Getafe expires in June — and Stian Gregersen — whose hamstring is prone to spontaneously combusting.
This leaves very little room to switch between a formation with two center backs and one with three. There is also only one true left winger, though the club will likely sign one now that Slisz’s sale has freed up crucial salary cap space.
For the time being, I believe the most likely formation will be some variation of a 3-5-2 or a 3-4-1-2 with Almirón in a strike partnership with Latte Lath. It would look something like this:
This allows Almirón to drop back and assist in build up while the wingbacks get forward to provide width. Miranchuk would be in his preferred No. 10 role, but will have support from Steven Alzate and Jay Fortune in midfield, as well as Almirón finding pockets of space around him.
Of course, this isn’t without its flaws. As mentioned above, this formation uses all three center backs, leaving no room for absences or even reinforcements on the bench unless another is signed. There is also the question of whether Miranchuk can be the creative player the team needs at the No. 10.
As the players return for preseason preparations and some final deals are made, we will surely get a better idea of exactly what this all will look like.
What do you think the answers to these questions are? What questions do you have about this team as preseason gets underway? Let me know in the comments below!
Good analysis, let’s hope we can fill some of those holes. Bummed that Slisz is out.
Agreed. I was really hoping he’d get to win something while he was here. He’s so fiercely competitive. Wish him the best.
If we have many holes on the roster, curious where you think we have excesses?
I wouldn’t say excess, but I think we’re covered at striker (3) and midfield (5 + whoever is signed to replace Slisz).
These are good questions to ask, and we need answers because they’re that important. I have to think Tata is devising a plan to answer a few of these, but not like any other coach coming in and trying to define the team, but going back to the roots and re-affirm what the club wanted from the start.
At the end of the day, we need players to play in his system and i’m not sure we have what we need to start the season off on the right foot. Our winger situation feels very underwhelming. Our lack of CB depth is concerning. Duplicative signings before other moves (a LB coming in when we have a solid LB?)
I always say, trust the process. It didn’t work out last year, but I still don’t blame the players. Deila’s system didn’t vibe, and you could kind of see this in many of the later games when things got switched up.
Dear Atlantistas! I didn´t know Tata is back! This is such good news. The first in forever!So, 2026 might be something for you. No doubt it will be a lot better than everything since 2019. Good luck, and I will watch your games to see how things turn out. On my side of things, my Gremio is not having the best of times. What happened is that Brazilian football has changed a lot, and for the better. Our league has become of the top leagues in the world, with a very good format, and a lot of money flowing in. As you may know, now only Brazil wins Libertadores. BUT, teams like Gremio have not followed the top clubs, and lost competitiveness. Brazil is in a great moment, we have the World Cup, and if your mad president does not make it impossible for people to travel to the US, the Cup could be a hit. Well, all the best for Atlanta, and let´s see what the year provides.
Welcome back Marcelo. Hopefully this team gives you reason to stay this time!
I am more than willing to give it a chance. Those other coaches were a lot more than my Brazilian heart could take. Vai, Atlanta!
Welcome back! While we have you, can you tell Botafogo to pay up Almada’s transfer fee, plus interest, and the add on from his move to Europe? Thanks!
Hi. I will keep you posted on the Almada deal.BUT, let me tell you that your fellow American John Textor is getting quite a reputation for being the kind of billionaire that loves not paying his bills. Anyway, FIFA ruled in your favor, Textor has to pay you 21 million USD, and for now there is a FIFA transfer ban, that makes it very difficult for Botafogo to hire anyone before settling this issue. It´s too bad Botafogo has such an owner. However, Almada is very much valued, and there is talk he might come to Palmeiras. He really is good, and it was that Atlanta that did not help him.
I would think you would have a little more love for the President who shut down the ‘aid’ organization that sterilized close to half the women (mostly black, mostly poor) in your country.
Can we not get into an argument with a foreigner on whether the president is great or not? He’s not voting, you don’t have to convince him one way or the other.
Fair enough. I’m just pushing back on the fact that he posts like twice a year and has started mentioning Trump every time he does. I’m beginning to suspect that he’s only here to take pot shots at the President.
If we want to avoid politics, I’m fine with it. If not, I’m going to start quoting the CPMI chaired by S. Benedita da Silva.
I understand this forum is for football only. Please bear a little because I am Brazilian, and here there is the division between church and state, but not between football and politics. Peace
Well, sort of. Your president has a way of coming to us. Or to Venezuela, which is kind of near.
What??? Where??? How?? Where do you get your news from? This is absolutely inexistent. Birth rates are down here, as in every developed nation, simply because people don´t want to, or can´t affor more than one child. We need people! Easy to immigrate to Brasil now, in case some Atlantistas appreciate warm weather, cool beaches and lovely women (can we eve say that these days?)
You must be younger than I thought. Starting with the Nixon administration, USAID [vomit] spent millions of dollars promoting sterilization as the primary means of birth control in Brasil. (In 1993, Goiás had a sterilization rate of 79% to Sao Paulo 45% – to translate into Georgia demographics that is like Dekalb County having double the sterilization rate of Cobb County) When Trump shut down USAID, he shut down a truly evil part of the US government.
My sources are Senadora Benedita da Silva (I’ve read the report from her committee in Portuguese), the NGO SERPAJ, Dr. Kia Lilly Caldwell of UNC, the Guttmacher Institute, LA Times and Washington Post (back when our newspapers had the resources/desire to be informative.)
I am glad you take the time to search for all this information. I am Brazilian, and a journalist. There have been lots of claims of such policies, but not much evidence. Benedita was not a standard for reliability, even though she did represent a very important and under represented part of society. If something is only coming from sectors that may be relevant, but not too reliable, you must assume there is room for an agenda. Information, as we should know, is very much agenda driven. I would say that this did not happen, not in the scale or seriousness they claim. Changes happened because the country evolved, and prospered, not because of some evil plan. Anyway, good that you are interested. What I am curious about now is HOW Tata is going to extract some football from this roster – which I simply can´t see. I guess he is brining a lot of young talent from Argentina? Hope so.
Given Almiron’s greater defensive effort, and Miranchuk playing best up the field, I would swap Miranchuk and Almiron; play Almiron as the main 10 playmaker, with Miranchuk up top next to LL as a SS. This also plays better to their strengths: Almiron likes to be on the ball a lot more start the offense, whereas Miranchuk shines when he’s the invisible player who pings one or two incredible passes to make magic happen. I think as a result it lends itself better to a 3-5-2 lineup.
Saba has also proved he can play in this RWB position, which also means Jacob can also help shore up defense as either 6 or RCB if necessary without leaving a hole.
Good shout on Saba. Honestly, I feel a little better about Saba at RWB if there are 3 CBs to cover for him.
Listening to the audio of Tata’s Q/A with season ticket holders, I thought it was interesting to hear him refer to the 3 DPs as “three forwards.” I don’t know if I’m reading too much into that, but maybe Tata does see Alexey functioning better as a SS.
Plus with almost every FB or WB in MLS you’re leaning on defense or attacking, few seem to be bringing both to the table at a impact level. As you note, with 3 CBs, it takes some pressure off Saba defensively. At least he’s going to track back and make the runs. He’s done it as a wing or WB here. Sometimes just making the effort and slowing down the counter is enough.
I tend to be in the Miranchuk as SS camp. I just don’t think he has the pace or inclination for defending we need out of CMs. Maybe if we sign a high-end CDM and have 3 CBs, there’s enough cover? Still, playing 3ATB, we are set up to counter and he doesn’t have the pace for that. He can play balls through, but those are lower percentage than being able to carry it through to the attacking third. I think he brings the most value playing balls into the box and banging in some shots from distance, or poaching rebounds.
Today, it does seem as though our penciled in starters better fit into 3-5-2, though CB depth is particularly thin (even counting Hernandez as a deep choice for outside CB). It’ll be interesting to see what moves we still have to make this window.
Second the Saba at RWB comment and Jacob to CB. I also wouldnt be surprised to start hearing a few more rumors after the 1st week or 2 of training. Tata may be waiting until he has a better feel for how the pieces fit before he pushes for more signings beyond Baez.
Unrelated, I am amazed the roster is in this poor of a situation from a cap standpoint, given how much we lack depth. We dug our way out of that situation for multiple seasons just to be back there again.
I say we still need a proper LW ahead of Luke, maybe someone like Agustín Anello from Boston River. Or offload Alexey and make a move for Gnabry or Malick Fofana in exchange for wiping out Tester’s debt to us.
Agreed on needing a LW. Given Tata’s rhetoric, it doesn’t sound like he’s planning to move on from Miranchuk quite yet, but I just don’t see how he’ll fit. I’d definitely take Gnabry for him in a heartbeat.
I can’t imagine us running a 3 CB set up with basically just 4 CBs currently available. I think it would be ideal to have 5 CBs if we are running a 2 CB set, but I think having 6 CBs would be best for a 3 CB set. We would need to prepare to whenever players are away for international duty. Just would feel better having good depth at CB especially the injuries we have had the past few years.
Yeah, I think either way this team needs to add at least one or two CBs. The depth is basically nonexistent. If only we had two homegrown CBs who don’t count against the cap…
considering preseason is starting real soon, would be nice to hear some rumors about more CB or RB signing rumors.
I still don’t like it. He isn’t mobile enough and doesn’t have enough defensive awareness to make this work. If the midfield is Almiron, Miranchuk, and Alzate, we will get overrun, and our backline will be under constant pressure, which will negate any benefits this trio could theoretically create in the attacking end.
The only way these two players could work is as a pair of 10s behind a single striker with a very capable double pivot behind them and two fullbacks/wingbacks that can offer a lot of speed and space on the flanks. That would either give you a Christmas tree formation or a 3-4-2-1. I would not feel comfortable starting the season that way, but in no way do I see Miranchuk as an option at the 8.
Fair enough. It’s why I’m still not sure how Tata is going to get them to work together. If Tata tries them both as 10s, I’m curious to see how he does it differently. They seemed to almost trip over each other when operating in the same spaces in 2025. I think having Miranchuk at the 10 with ELL and Miggy as strikers could work. I suppose we’ll see.
I would say Hiring Lozano would be a great fit but he and Tata don’t seem to get along. Seems like Lozano had the same maturity issue with the National Team.
Chucky is a baller, but he’s also a bit of a hot head and like mentioned in the first question, this team needs an identity and I don’t think any version of Chucky would fit.