Preseason Look: Atlanta United

Atlanta burst on to the MLS scene last year and nearly pulled up a Supporters' Sheild / MLS Cup double in 2018. This coming season may bring something a little different for them if they end up selling a few players and learn a new coach. That said, right now, they look largely like they did last year.

Miguel Almiron is the playmaker on the team and if he stays, Atlanta will finish near the top once again. Right behind him is the new leading single-season goal scorer in MLS history. Josef Martinez's 35 is a gaudy number that was only one behind Colorado's team total. He followed up his fantastic regular season by finishing up Portland in the MLS Cup final.

Rating	Name	Position	FM19	FIFA	WS
77	Miguel Almirón	Attacking Midfield	74	80	77
76	Josef Martínez	Centre-Forward	76	81	74
73	Brad Guzan	Goalkeeper	74	73	67
71	Ezequiel Barco	Left Winger	71	74	68
71	Leandro González Pírez	Centre-Back	71	75	71
70	Franco Escobar	Right-Back	69	75	70
70	Darlington Nagbe	Right Winger	70	73	68
70	Eric Remedi	Defensive Midfield	73	70	67
70	Héctor Villalba	Right Winger	67	75	70
70	Julian Gressel	Right Midfield	65	70	73
68	Michael Parkhurst	Centre-Back	68	70	68
68	Jeff Larentowicz	Defensive Midfield	67	68	68
68	Chris McCann	Defensive Midfield	68	67	68
67	Kevin Kratz	Central Midfield	68	67	63
66	Alec Kann	Goalkeeper	66	66	75
65	Brek Shea	Left Winger	67	65	64
63	Michael Ambrose	Left-Back	63	63	70
63	Brandon Vázquez	Centre-Forward	63	63	62
63	Andrew Carleton	Left Winger	61	64	63
62	Romario Williams	Centre-Forward	61	64	62
61	Miles Robinson	Centre-Back	60	61	62
61	José Hernández	Left-Back	61	63	0
58	George Bello	Left-Back	58	0	71
57	Brendan Moore	Goalkeeper	57	59	0
56	Chris Goslin	Attacking Midfield	56	56	0
56	Dion Pereira	Left Winger	56	0	60
55	Lagos Kunga	Right Winger	55	57	0
54	Jon Gallagher	Left Winger	58	54	0
0	Amir Bashti	Right Winger	0	0	0
0	Anderson Asiedu	Midfielder	0	0	0
0	Gordon Wild	Second Striker	58	0	0
0	Patrick Okonkwo	Centre-Forward	0	0	0

Something of note in the ratings - Mikey Ambrose played well beyond his lower FM19 and FIFA ratings, but I'm wondering if the recent acquisition of Brek Shea means he'll be sliding into that spot. So much of what they do this year will depend on Frank de Boer and his tactical plan. All the tools are there for him to succeed, but he's Dutch, so I fully expect him to put his own spin on things.




As far as the season outlook, right now? With very few roster changes, 2019 will look similar to 2018. Potent goal scoring team with a decent defense.