If you haven’t learned already, Five Stripes Don’t Stop. So even though Atlanta United aren’t playing matches for a few months, that doesn’t mean nothing is going on for the 17s –– there’s plenty in the works over the next few months:
Dream Tryouts
It’s that time of year again: Atlanta United are making sure they leave no stone unturned in their quest to improve their roster with the third installment of the American Family Dream Tryouts. Leadership and scouts from Atlanta United as well as ATL UTD 2 will be in attendance as players travel from all over the country for an open tryout to fight for a place on Atlanta United’s roster with a professional contract. The tryout will be held November 16th, with registration closing on November 14th.
Offseason Roster Moves
The offseason is when teams tinker with their rosters. There have been few stretches better than Atlanta United’s first three years as a team, but the front office has repeatedly stated their objective to always keep improving.
MLS windows for roster moves are already opening up as soon as next week, with a brief, three-day transfer window running from Nov. 11 through the 13th. Then it’s time for Inter Miami and Nashville SC to fill out their roster, with the MLS Expansion Draft coming up on November 19th. Atlanta United had no one selected last year so they are eligible to have a player taken from their team –– and can’t protect everyone on their roster –– so there is a possibility of player movement. Meanwhile player contract options have to be exercised by November 21st.
The rest of the offseason is determined largely by the transfer window of the player themselves. More moves could happen within the league in December, but January is a common transfer window for other leagues around the world, so most international movement would have to happen then. MLS rosters have to be compliant with the league by the end of February. Click here for a more detailed schedule released by MLS. As always, stay tuned to the Atlanta United social media channels and atlutd.com for all the latest updates and news as soon as it happens.
Concacaf Champions’ League Draw
Before you know it, the team will be back in action in international competition –– and the players are hungry after showing promise but falling just short in their first run last year in the Concacaf Champions’ League. This year’ batch of MLS teams is as strong as ever, with Atlanta United joining LAFC, NYCFC, the Seattle Sounders and the Montreal Impact in the tournament this year. But first, the Five Stripes have to find out who they play, and that’s coming up in less than a month, with the draw being held on December 9th in Mexico City. The first matches in the Round of 16 will be held on February 18-20, 2020, and will be Atlanta United’s first return to action of 2020.
Holiday Shopping
Of course this is the time of year where many people exchange gifts over the holidays, so make sure you’re getting your favorite 17 in your life what they actually want under the tree. Stay tuned for the return for the Holiday Gift Guide, and be ready to take advantage of special offers and discounts throughout the next two months to get a little bit of Five Stripes for the holidays this year.
And then before you know it, it will be 2020 and we will be back in action. The MLS regular season schedule will be released in early January, with preseason training starting early for Atlanta United with their return to Concacaf Champions’ League ahead. Less than two month from now, and we will be back out on the field ready to earn it all again in 2020.
