This morning, I was able to do one of my favorite things. Watch Atlanta United training with a cup of coffee.
The first open session of the year happened Friday, which meant local media got a full look at preseason training for the first time in 2025.
The group is just four sessions into preseason, but already expectations are setting under Ronny Deila. The new head coach wants his team to use preseason to build up fitness so they can be "the fittest team in the league," center back Derrick Williams said earier this week. The goal is also to work on the style of play Deila wants Atlanta to implement: fast, aggressive and consistent.
- It's mid-January, and Atlanta already has their sights set on winning, which came up a few times during media availability with the two players who might cover the most ground for the squad this season: winger Saba Lobjanidze and new signee Mateusz Klich. Saba reported that Deila communicated this in the head coach's first meeting with the team. When asked what their aspirations were for the season, both Saba and Klich said they want to win the MLS Cup and the league.
- For Saba, the most important part of preseason is simple: "Running."
- Preseason is about getting fit and getting into rhythm, and that was clear watching training on Friday. The team was moving, running and playing intensely -- and it was a full session, beginning at noon and going 90 minutes. The movement was seen best during the small-sided game reminiscent of pickup basketball. Players went 2v2 trying to score, ripping shots, transitioning quickly from attacking to defending. The action never stopped -- and produced some exciting shots.
- Speaking of, it seems like Saba never stops running. When asked about his offseason, Saba said that he played soccer with some friends from the Georgia national team. He also ran everyday (not exactly how I spent my holiday break). Saba's work rate continues to be incomparable.
- "I'm a player who likes to play football. I like to play position football. I play high, aggressive, pressing football, and I like to have the ball at my feet. I will run a lot. I will work hard for the team. I will create chances because that's what I do, and I will do everything I can to help the team to win matches and eventually win the lague. I'm excited because the organization, the facilities, the club and the players, it's better than I thought it was. I'm really happy to be here, and I just can't wait to start."
That's new acqusition Mateusz Klich during his introduction to media after training. Klich's previous stop was D.C. United and prior to that played in the English Premier League.
- Earlier this week, center back Derrick Williams, who's celebrating his birthday today, called Klich one of his best friends in football. Today, Klich returned the favor:
"I enjoyed playing with him in D.C. I missed him last year on the team. He was a big part of our team, and I was happy for him. He moved to a good club. I didn't expect to play with him anymore, but we are together, and I'm happy."
- Williams also said that one thing about Klich's playing style is that he likes to play the ball forward. He did this a few times. On one play, Williams sent a long ball to Luke Brennan in the corner. Klich received Brennan's cross then knocked it to Cayman Togashi for the finish. Each pass on the play, and the shot, was one-touch. A beautiful connection from the fast play.
- With Josh Cohen out sick for the day, goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert got some good reps in the goal opposite Brad Guzan. Hibbert spent 2024 with Atlanta United 2 in MLS NEXT Pro. Hibbert is a SuperDraft product, selected No. 19 overall in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft out of UConn.
- We saw two Decatur natives and Academy products out on the pitch. Ashton Gordon ripped a left-footed strike that just missed during the small-sided games. Will Reilly, who played collegiately at Stanford, also had an impressive strike with his left foot that went in for a goal.
- Two players missing from training today: Bartosz Slisz and Stian Gregersen. But not to worry. Both are traveling from Europe and will be arriving to Atlanta soon.
- The addition of Klich means Atlanta United has two players from Poland on the roster. Although, the two have never played a game together. Klich left his home country in 2011 and Slisz made his professional debut in Poland during the 2015-16 season. Klich has 41 caps with Poland's national team, and Slisz 14, but they represented their country at different times. (Both played for Poland in the Euros but, again, at different times -- Klich in 2020, Slisz last summer.) Pretty cool to see Atlanta bring two Polish nationals together.
"He's a player you can trust, and I can't wait to play with him," Klich said of Slisz
- Today we got a first look also at new forward Cayman Togashi. The Japanese striker scored two goals consecutively in the small-sided games. Togashi is the first Japanese player Atlanta United has ever had.
- Defense was an emphasis. Guzan was giving a lot of instruction, encouraging players, especially Togashi, to apply pressure. When Saba converted a shot that eluded Hibbert in goal, there was no time for celebration. Guzan and teammates called out for Saba to turn and defend.
- Speaking of defense, Tristan Muyumba had a really sneaky takeaway. Assistant coach Carl Robinson praised Muyumba for his proactive effort, showing why the Parisian is an excellent example for winning the ball back.
- Klich on changing teams and being in a new place: "It's great. You have everything we need as a player in Atlanta, and they help you with everything. I played in the stadium. I've played in good stadiums, but this one is unreal. The facilities here, the Training Ground, and everything it's on a really, really, very professional, top level. It's everything we need as a player, and we need to show it on the pitch."
- Striker Jamal Thiaré had a really nice finish in the larger games that ended training. He brought a pass down with his chest while running on, then finished it one-time. Savvy reaction from the Senegalese striker whose well-known for his stealthy play.
- There are new faces, but one thing hasn't changed. Veteran goalkeeper Brad Guzan still commands the pitch and has the loudest voice of the group. Atlanta's captain will be playing his ninth season with the club in 2025. And, somehow, he looks even more lean and fit than ever.
- He can play both wings, but Saba cleared up a longstanding question: Which foot is his strongest?
"My strongest foot is right. But I'm scoring the goals with the left."
One quote that stood out:
"You can expect us to be an aggressive, high-pressing team. That's the main thing. We want to keep the ball when we have possession. I expect us to play entertaining football."
- Mateusz Klich
