Tata Martino revealed on Friday that Matías Galarza’s purchase option won’t be picked up by Atlanta United after being brought in on loan from River Plate. Atlanta is still negotiating with Galarza, but it will be tough to sign him unless he is made a Designated Player.
From a roster standpoint, letting Galarza return to River is more palatable. The club has plenty of choices here: Cooper Sanchez and Tristan Muyumba have become mainstays in the starting XI, while Jay Fortune has been terrific in a starting role since his return from injury. Behind those three are Will Reilly and Steven Alzate, although the latter’s place in the team is in question even after returning from an adductor injury.
If Berrocal isn’t renewed, Atlanta is very thin at center back. Stian Gregersen and Enea Mihaj are the starting pair at CB, but outside of Matt Edwards, there’s not really anyone on the current first team roster you could put there. (Frankly, not many people will miss Berrocal, who never found consistent form with Atlanta.)
Which brings us to the economics. Galarza’s guaranteed compensation was set to be $945,413 for all of 2026 while Berrocal’s totaled $1,424,666.64. It simply doesn’t make financial sense to keep either player. That money could be used to improve the team elsewhere: it badly needs a consistent winger, more center-back depth, and a No. 6. That’s some of what they needed before the season began, to be fair.
Atlanta needs to use this freed-up money to pursue players that can significantly improve the roster, not overpay for a shiny object. With Mauricio Culebro arriving later in the summer, it doesn’t need to make those moves immediately. But let’s hope that he, Chris Henderson, and Martino can put their collective heads together and conduct more fiscally responsible business.