Training just ended, but Miguel Almirón is in the middle of an intense discussion with Brad Guzan. The two are sharing visions — pointing to different places on the pitch, drawing runs and spacing in their minds. A pair of veterans just looking to get better every second of the day.
Almirón’s arrival, alongside another high-profile attacker in Emmanuel Latte Lath, heightens Atlanta United’s ceiling for the 2025 season. How high that ceiling is, only time will tell.
Atlanta United practiced Tuesday at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground with CF Montréal on their minds. The home opener, set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday Feb. 22, is now the main focus. The regular season is here.
Saba Lobjanidze and Mateusz Klich spoke to media after training, highlighting the impact of the two new attackers on training and the club as a whole:
Miggy’s homecoming
You won’t want to miss the home opener, and if you’re smart, you’ll be in your seat before kick. The scene in Mercedes-Benz Stadium when Miguel Almirón’s name is called will be nothing short of hair-raising.
The 2018 MLS Cup winner’s first competitive game back for Atlanta United will come on Saturday. Folks around the club are bullish on what he is bringing to training and what he will bring on Saturday and going forward.
“Miggy is an unbelievable player with a lot of experience,” Saba said. “He came from the best league in the world. In every training you can see how he’s active and how he’s motivated.”
As his companion in the attack, Saba sees the talent firsthand in training. Almirón’s touches are quick and precise, and every time he gets the ball, people around him expect something special to happen. And, more often than not, it does. He’s very press-resistant, and he plays a positive brand of football, always looking to progress the ball up the pitch.
We’ve already seen multiple MLS clubs play with some serious press against Atlanta United in the preseason. 17s can rest assured that the 5-Stripes will be well-equipped to beat it while Almirón is out on the pitch.
Tuesday’s training featured many small-field scrimmages that congested the pitch and forced players to make quicker and quicker decisions. One look at Miggy, and you see how comfortable he is in the chaos, and how it makes things easier for the players around him.
Almirón is already setting great examples, and not just for the younger members of the squad.
“He is giving us in training more moments,” Saba said. “[It feels like] we have to do something better than that.”
Lightning fast Latte Lath
Ask anyone on the team, and you’ll hear about how fast new signing Emmanuel Latte Lath is. The squad has seen his speed and tried to keep up with him in training.
He’s not just out there to run, though. His goalscoring record, particularly at his last club Middlesbrough FC, is cause for excitement. Since the start of last season in the Championship, he averaged 0.58 goals per 90 minutes and 2.67 shots per 90.
“I hope he will continue like that in Atlanta,” Saba said. “We are here for helping him, and he will help us also.”
And while the Ivorian’s physical profile is different than what Atlanta United is used to — he’s not a bruiser striker and will instead be best running in behind the defense — no one doubts his ability to get on the score sheet. Or win aerial battles, for that matter.
“Manu can jump, he can score a couple of good headers,” Klich said. “I think he suits our style of play better than a big striker.”
His extra mobility saw him navigating through congested drills with ease. In training, he slotted away the few chances through on goal.
While he’s had less time to integrate into the squad and get valuable reps, Latte Lath is hitting the ground running. Literally.
“He’s quick,” Klich said. “… Atlanta fans are going to be happy, I’m going to be happy, and the team is going to be happy. We don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but he will score goals.”
Atlanta’s attacking prospects
The 5-Stripes scored 46 goals in the 2024 season, and it’s safe to say they expect that number to go up in 2025. It’s not just the additions of Miggy and Latte Lath that are setting that standard. Saba and Alexey Miranchuk are returners who should have big roles for Atlanta United.
While defenders and midfielders worked on pressing, some attackers worked separately on timing runs, playing through balls and finishing. It’s clear head coach Ronny Deila wants his attacking pieces to get a feel for each other and learn tendencies.
“Chemistry is really nice, because we are good players and we can understand our skills,” Saba said. “I think it looks nice, and we’ll see this week.”
To be a successful attacking team, goals will need to come from all over the XI.
“It’s all about chemistry,” Klich said. “It’s not an individual sport. We’re going to need to adapt, we’re going to need everyone. It’s not only about those [attackers]. Other people can score goals, and they will score goals … I don’t really care who scores goals.”
I’d bet 17s won’t care either, as long as they’re hitting the back of the net.
The 2025 home opener is here!
The new season is here and Atlanta United's home opener is February 22. Secure your seat and join us at Mercedes-Benz Stadium!
