What to watch for in Atlanta United's first preseason match

Managing Editor & Lead Writer

Sandy McAfee

Atlanta United returned to the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground, after spending a few days in Flowery Branch, to prepare for the first friendly of the year. Atlanta United is scheduled to travel to Tennessee to face Chattanooga FC in the preseason opener for both clubs.

With a new head coach and some new faces on the squad, there's a lot of questions surrounding the first preseason match for Atlanta United:

How will the game flow against Chattanooga FC?

Kickoff is 3:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 25. With the match open to the public and available to stream, this will be the first chance in the calendar year for many to soak in some live Atlanta United soccer.

The teams will compete in two 45-minute halves. Deila plans to send out two even teams, one for each half.

Expect a tight game, especially in the beginning as both teams work through some offseason rust. Then, we'll look to see if Atlanta United can take control and cause problems for the Boys in Blue.

This will be the third-ever fixture between the two clubs. Chattanooga FC is a professional club that competes in MLS NEXT Pro and will host the 5-Stripes at their home venue, Finley Stadium.

Will Ronny Deila like what he sees on the pitch?

"Very focused on tasks instead of results."

I loved this quote from head coach Ronny Deila on Thursday. That feels exactly right for the first preseason match under a new head coach. Is Atlanta United absorbing the concepts Deila has been teaching? Are his players able to put them into practice in a competitive environment?

This quote explains a lot:

"We always want to win, so hopefully we can do that as well," Deila said. "If the performance is good and we lose, I will accept that. Then, we need to improve certain things that make us not effective enough. If we perform bad and win, I will also be critical. Because they will see that I'm honest about what I see, what I want and how we're going to be on the pitch."

How fit and fast does Atlanta look on the pitch?

Preseason is a great deal about fitness, and the first few weeks of preseason might be the first chance for many to see action in several months. (Not everyone is Saba Lobjanidze, who told us he ran and played soccer everyday during the offseason.)

"The most important thing is to get some minutes in our legs and to start to see the individuals in-game because it's something different from seeing them in training," Deila said.

How does the backline(s) look?

With fullback Brooks Lennon a few weeks away from a return from injury, I'll be curious to see how the backline looks Saturday. Of course, that's assuming Atlanta United sticks with a four-man backline, which they did most of 2024. We don't know a whole lot yet about what Deila prefers tactically.

Atlanta United has depth at defense. Stian Gregersen and Derrick Williams, the two center back anchors last season, have returned as well as fullbacks Pedro Amador and Ronald Hernández. Amador finished the season exceptionally strong, recording a total of eight assists in 14 matches played, regular and postseason combined, for Atlanta.

There's also Luis Abram, Efraín Morales, Matt Edwards and Noah Cobb. Club president & CEO Garth Lagerwey has previously discussed the possibility of Noah Cobb filling in at right fullback. However, on Thursday Deila said that's probably not going to happen. He sees Cobb more as a center back, which Cobb himself describes as his main position.

"I've played center back mostly, but I'll play anywhere," Cobb said.

Will Atlanta United clog the middle of the pitch?

This method of applying pressure in the middle has been an area of emphasis in training sessions so far under Deila. Atlanta United has been looking to communicate and organize when on defense so they can win the ball back in central areas of the pitch.

I'll be curious to see how effective Atlanta United is at doing that on Saturday against an opponent, especially with players who are very good at winning back the ball such as midfielder Tristan Muyumba.

"If some of us are not ready to close the center of the field, it will open something for the opponent," Muyumba said. "It will be about everyone. Everyone has to be on the same page and close the center of the field together."

Who is vocal...

... besides Brad Guzan?

We know the booming voice of Atlanta United's big, bald wall, but what about the field players? Deila has noted early in preseason the importance of communication, and he mentioned on Thursday that he's been encouraging players to be more vocal.

"It's a quiet group," he said.

The head coach wants the comfort, family feeling that allows for more open and flowing communication. It might be hard to see (or hear) during a preseason match, especially if you're watching from home, but let's find out if any new voices come through -- other than the command of Atlanta's goalkeeper.

"Sometimes you need more clearer and harder communication, especially when you have 45,000 in the stands, you need to really use your voice and you need to understand how to adjust during the game," Deila said.

How will Atlanta United handle adversity?

Given that Deila is more concerned with tasks than results at this stage of preseason, don't be surprised if we see some scoring from Chattanooga FC. (And if we don't, even better.)

What is worth looking at more closely on Saturday is how Atlanta United responds when going up or down a goal. If they go up a goal, are they able to keep doing the same things? If they go down a goal, are they able to respond and claw their way back?

Remember, one of the first things Deila told the team coming in was that they were too inconsistent last season. We'll see when a goal happens, for or against, if Atlanta can be more steady.

"Whatever happens in the game, we are thinking about the next situation," Deila said.

Does the squad have the same mentality they did in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs?

A few Atlanta United players have mentioned in 2025 that last year's playoff run can be something to build from moving forward. The fearless attitude that got them a win on Decision Day, through penalty kicks in the Wild Card game in Montréal and past the best team in the league in the Round One Best-of-3 Series.

Last season's postseason run was magical. It eventually ended in the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a loss to Orlando City SC. But is the group with that chip on their shoulder, looking for something to prove, still here in 2025?

"We have a lot of talent in the group," Deila said. "It's a very good atmosphere, and they're working really hard."

How daring will Atlanta United be?

A result that comes with a new head coach is culture change. Deila has said in his press conferences so far that he encourages players to take risks, especially in training. He wants them to be daring and is even okay if they make mistakes.

Whether Atlanta United brings this into their first preseason test is something I'll be looking out for. Will players try out new things? Will they show a new confidence and courage to take risks? Will their playmaking be bold? Which young players will show us something during their time on the pitch?

"Everything is not going to be perfect," Muyumba said. "We will make some mistakes. We will try to do our best... it will be about just trying to have fun but also see what the coaching staff wants to see during the season."