Atlanta United defeated Sporting Kansas City 3-2 in a friendly on Thursday morning at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground. Sure, it doesn’t count in the standings, but it provided several talking points as both teams were able to stretch their legs ahead of next week’s return of MLS action.
Latte Lath at wing, Miranchuk at ST: short-term experiment or long-term solution?
Atlanta United needs a winger after Saba Lobjanidze’s trade to Real Salt Lake. Can I interest you in Emmanuel Latte Lath?
We’ve certainly seen Alexey Miranchuk, who moved in as striker against SKC, up front for Atlanta in the past. What we haven’t seen is Latte Lath on the left, with his last start there (per Transfermarkt) coming with Middlesbrough on September 24, 2024 against Preston North End. Is it a move to finally unlock his potential? Is it a stopgap solution until Atlanta finds a permanent option?
Either way, it’s something Tata Martino and Latte Lath discussed before the season, Martino said after the match.
The homegrowns played a big part
Atlanta United’s homegrowns were involved in all three of the teams’ goals: Jay Fortune’s golazo tied things at 1-1 in the opening session before Cooper Sanchez’s tenacity in front of the net put Atlanta up 2-1. In the final session, Luke Brennan was key in ATL UTD 2 winger Cameron Dunbar’s match-winner.
Fortune, as I’ve said numerous times, has the opportunity to be a foundational piece for this club. His contract does end at the end of the season, and when asked by Scarves and Spikes on Monday about an extension, Chris Henderson said that discussions between the club and Fortune’s representation are in process. Sanchez, who, like Fortune, was highlighted by Henderson on Monday, is also out of contract at the end of the season but has options for 2027 and 2028. Brennan’s deal is up in December 2027, and I’m sure fans agree he’s not seen nearly enough opportunities with the first team.
The word “sustainable” has been used by both Henderson and Mauricio Culebro in recent weeks, and having players like Fortune and Sanchez (and, to a lesser extent, Brennan) in place long-term is a step in that direction.
Paulo Díaz, Júnior Alonso in the house
The two players who have been linked with Atlanta United the most were present for this one. Nothing’s official yet, but according to reports, Alonso’s deal with Atlanta is for three years.
Those are two of the “up to five” players Henderson mentioned Atlanta could be bringing in during the summer window. Could we see Alan Velasco, a reported target, in an Atlanta United uniform? Is a long-awaited No. 6 on the way? How will the club use its vacant U-22 slot? We’ll see what Henderson and Culebro have in mind.
Let us know what you thought of the match (who stood out, who didn’t) in the comments.