From Zlatan to Adu: Kofi Opare - O

This is the twelfth installment of a 26-part series of players we'd like to see at Atlanta United FC as either a Designated Player or general roster spot. They will not all make sense but we will try to convince you anyway. #HailUnited #KingsOfTheSouth

Kofi Opare - Defender - DC United - DOB: 10/12/1990

So what's the deal with this guy?

Opare spent four years plying his craft for the Michigan Wolverines before being drafted by the Los Angeles Galaxy. After spending two seasons between the first and second team in LA, Opare has been in the nation's capital the past three seasons.

Is he any good?

Kofi emerged in 2015 as a viable centerback after being forced into the lineup due to injuries. Unfortunately that bug bit him this past season and Opare sat out a number of games after suffering a concussion. 

Why is he worth grabbing if he's only had one good season as a pro?

He's shown flashes of what can make him a very good player, and he's been around MLS awhile on two historically good teams. Opare is only taking up $105,000 worth of salary space so it's a nice mix of friendly pay, experience and (relative) potential.

Does this make sense for Atlanta United?

Yeah, the team still needs defenders and for the reasons listed above Opare makes total sense for an expansion club, as long as he can stay on the field.

How likely is this to happen?

DC United may not protect Opare for the expansion draft, but he probably isn't a top five candidate of Atlanta United's either. A trade or acquisition down the line would be more likely. Especially considering these Michael Parkhurst rumors popping up, don't cont on Opare now.

From Zlatan to Adu: Alvas Powell - P

This is the eleventh installment of a 26-part series of players we'd like to see at Atlanta United FC as either a Designated Player or general roster spot. They will not all make sense but we will try to convince you anyway. #HailUnited #KingsOfTheSouth

Alvas Powell - Defender - Portland Timbers - DOB: 7/18/1994

So what's the deal with this guy?

The 22-year-old began his senior career at 17 in his native Jamaica before quickly being loaned to, and eventually bought by, the Portland Timbers. He's been a notable presence in MLS since 2013.

Is he any good?

As a young defender, he can be a bit unpredictable at times, and has a penchant for becoming a bit too involved in the attack, but yeah, he's an exciting player who has proven himself on an MLS Cup winning team and on the international level for a Jamaican team that continues to improve.

Oh, he's already playing with the Reggae Boyz?

Yep. Made his first appearance in 2012 and has racked up 16 total. Of course that means he may miss time for call-ups. Still great experience though.

Does this make sense for Atlanta United?

Sure does. Powell is currently cheap (approx $100K) and his youth and attacking style would fit what Tata Martino seems to be compiling roster-wise. Plus, Atlanta United basically has zero defenders on its roster. 

How likely is this to happen?

You want to say it could easily via the MLS Expansion Draft, as Powell and Timbers head coach Caleb Porter didn't always see eye to eye last season. But the Timbers would more likely trade or sell Powell than they would let such a prospect just go with no return. Most likely, not going to happen, unless Darren Eales has some tricks up his sleeve.

Atlanta United Traffic Report #004

Atlanta United closed the deal in signing Miguel Almiron and Brandon Vazquez over the last couple days, and is rumored to be bringing in Sean Johnson once the MLS Cup finishes up.

But what does that mean for the rest of the roster? The expansion draft is coming soon. What's Atlanta United FC need to stock up on and how much money is left to spend on the Tata Martino's squad?

From Zlatan to Adu: Alberto Quintero - Q

This is the tenth installment of a 26-part series of players we'd like to see at Atlanta United FC as either a Designated Player or general roster spot. They will not all make sense but we will try to convince you anyway. #HailUnited #KingsOfTheSouth

Alberto Quintero Medina - Midfielder - San Jose Earthquakes - DOB: 12/18/1987

So what's the deal with this guy?

Quintero is a recent MLS guy, having joined the San Jose Earthquakes on loan from Lobos BUAP of Mexico for 2016. He appeared in 30 games for the Earthquakes this past season.

Was he any good?

Yeah, he was a solid contributor. Quintero finished the season  with 4 goals and 3 assists including this screamer.

Cool. What else?

The 28-year-old has been a constant presence on the Panamanian national team since 2007, so that's pretty good.

You said he was on loan?

For 2016, he was. Set San Jose back about $190,000, or well worth the price of his role/minutes/output.

Does this make sense for Atlanta United?

Atlanta United has a lot of midfielders on its small roster, so picking up a Quintero (and using an international roster spot in the process) is highly unlikely. Plus, if his move away from his Mexican club were to be made permanent it would seem like he's staying put in San Jose.

From Zlatan to Adu: Leonardo (Ribeiro Da Silva) - R

This is the ninth installment of a 26-part series of players we'd like to see at Atlanta United FC as either a Designated Player or general roster spot. They will not all make sense but we will try to convince you anyway. #HailUnited #KingsOfTheSouth

José Leonardo Ribeiro da Silva - Defender - Los Angeles Galaxy - DOB: 2/5/1988

So what's the deal with this guy?

Honestly, I wouldn't consider Leonardo a guy Atlanta United should necessarily target, but he'd be the kind of player AUFC could end up with if MLS still holds an Expansion Draft in 2016.

Then why are we talking about him?

He's a 6'2" center back with a couple years under Bruce Arenas on one of the best clubs in MLS that resulted in a couple MLS Cups.

So he's good?

Depends on who you ask. Galaxy fans have kinda soured on Leonardo. Just watch Galaxy Twitter in games he plays. 

I'm guessing there's a but...

BUT he was voted the Galaxy's Defensive Player of the Year in 2015, aka just last season.

I don't know what to think

Think this: with the signing of Jelle Van Damme and emergence of Daniel Steres, Leonardo has become expendable. He's only played in two MLS regular season games in 2016 and there's no way LA wants to hang on to that $160,000 contract. Even if that isn't crazy expensive, it is for that kind of usage. It doesn't mean he's necessarily worthless though.

You gotta pitch me better

There are much worse options for centerback on an expansion side.

Why would Atlanta United want Leonardo?

See the above. There are worse options than a 28-year-old from a good system who understands MLS. I think he's also past occupying an international spot too, even though he is from Brazil.

Does this make sense?

If there is an Expansion Draft, yes. LA would likely not use one of its 11 spots to protect Leonardo and he fills a need of any soccer team. And even if he might not be worth the $160K he's being paid now, if selected in the Expansion Draft Atlanta United is able to renegotiate with the player.

Atlanta United signs Chris McCann #workhorse

Ripping this straight from the press release and adding that Atlanta United did not use a Designated Player spot or Targeted Allocation Money for the signing. McCann should wear no 16 with the club.

Atlanta United today announced the signing of 28-year-old midfielder Chris McCann, pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and ITC. McCann joins Atlanta from English Championship club Wigan Athletic.

 “We are thrilled Chris has chosen to sign for Atlanta United, he is a player we feel will be very important as we build our roster,” said Atlanta United technical director Carlos Bocanegra. “With over 350 first team appearances and premiership experience, he will bring a valuable veteran presence onto the field and into our locker room.” 

 McCann, a native of Dublin, Ireland came up through the Home Farm F.C. youth system and represented Ireland as a youth international at the U-17, U-18 and U-19 levels. 

 McCann moved to England and joined Burnley F.C. in 2005 where he made over 200 appearances and scored 27 goals. Playing under manager Owen Coyle, McCann was a standout performer making 58 appearances with eight goals during the 2008-09 season, helping the Clarets secure a promotion to the Premier League with a victory in the Football League Championship Play-off final. 

 McCann joined Wigan Athletic on a free transfer in 2013. Playing once again under Coyle, McCann had 38 appearances and three goals for Wigan in his first year. He added 18 appearances in the 2014-15 season. 

 “We see Chris coming in to play a midfield role, but having the capacity to play in defense as well,” said Bocanegra. “He has good versatility, technical ability and can contribute with goals and assists from various positions on the field.” 

 McCann will go out on loan until he arrives in Atlanta in January.

From Zlatan to Adu: Maximiliano Urruti - U

This is the sixth installment of a 26-part series of players we'd like to see at Atlanta United FC as either a Designated Player or general roster spot. They will not all make sense but we will try to convince you anyway. #HailUnited #KingsOfTheSouth

Maximiliano Urruti - Forward - FC Dallas - DOB 2/22/1991

So what's the deal with this guy?

Maxi has been around MLS for a couple seasons, spending the majority of that time in Portland with the Timbers, after leaving his native Argentina.

Why's he wearing an FC Dallas jersey in that pic then?

Because Urruti's contract wasn't picked up by Portland after the 2015 MLS Cup winning campaign. He was placed in the MLS Re-Entry Draft where he was scooped with the no. 1 pick by Dallas.

And?

And what? 

Why want someone who was thrown on the scrap heap?

Urruti has skills, just maybe not enough for Portland to justify his $200,000 2015 salary after they got better production out of other players.

Still not selling me on Urruti

Ok, his 15 goals in 65 appearances for Portland isn't great, but he's found life in 2016 with Dallas. Especially at the start of the season.

That was pretty slick

I know. Maxi has 3 goals in 11 matches so far this season. He's also got the most shots and shots on goal for Dallas proving his work rate is A+.

Why would Atlanta United want Maxi Urruti?

Just a guess, but considering Maxi was a Re-Entry player, I wouldn't be surprised if his salary was dropped from $200K for 2016. Even there, that's not a bad price for a guy who's going to be a pest and score some goals up top.

Does this make sense?

Just as much as any other nonsense I'm throwing out here. Probably won't be able to get him away from Dallas for 2017 though. 

Bring back the Olympics mascot Izzy for Atlanta United

Someone has to champion our fallen heroes. And after seeing the current state of MLS mascots it seems only right that Atlanta United should take this time to restore glory to an icon that never once got its fair shake.

Izzy, the mascot of the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics, never had a chance. Derided from the outset, the most innocuous, inoffensive choice imaginable is about to be back in fashion. 

Who loves needlessly nostalgic and kitschy shit? Flippin' millennials, that's who. 

Stir up some, "I totally had like six of those plastic guys" talk.

Get a couple, "Remember how awful that video game was?"

Embrace the hate, Atlanta United. There's even an opportunity to out-cartoon your should-be rivals in Disney SC. 

If nothing else we should take on the mantle from this guy. He's been propping the Izzy game up for too long. 

Please make a change.org petition please and thank you kind reader. 

Freddy Adu & Drew Carey 2 Podcast s02e05

Atlanta United has some thoughts on when to make a "big signing."

MLS Fantasy should be all about the cheap keeper. And Atlanta United may have one next year in Alex Tambakis. 

Freddy Adu is out here hitting ish.

Drew Carey gives Oswald a second story line and throws a parade with a bunch of guest stars.

Atlanta United Future Diary - April 6, 2036

Dateline: April 6, 2036

With Major League Soccer officially over the hill, the league again sits on a precipice. Much like it has had to make monumental decisions in the past to dictate and engage an ever-evolving fanbase, MLS must decide if it continues investing in tech or attempts to recreate stadium experiences of yore.

Now 40 years in, the league has watched attendance at games rise and dip more than a gym rat on tricep day. While bodies in seats reached highs in the '20s, lucrative streaming deals and monstrous viewer numbers over the last ten years have slowly pushed fans back to the home. 

"It's a debate that's been happening for a long time," said Romeo Beckham, Director of In-Game Engagement for MLS. "How do we replicate and combine the information overload aspect and connectedness of consuming on-screen content with attending a match in person?"

Some teams have added alternate-reality experiences only available in stadiums, not through similar at-home products. The 100-Yard Bar at Mercedes-Benz Stadium offers Atlanta United "Be the Game" POV player simulations using augmented reality headsets.

"MB Stadium is now one of the oldest venues in the league, but it continues to push the level of amenities for supporters," Beckham said. "Utilizing cameras in the crest on players' jerseys, fans can now watch a game as their favorite player. See the game how they see it. Watch them make their runs and call for the ball."

"It really allows you to appreciate what the players do out there," said one visiting Charlotte Independence fan last season, her first time using the POV mode. 

Services like this in Atlanta may not keep people tied to their assigned seats (rather, they will roam the concourse looking for something new and unavailable outside the confines of the arena) or contribute to the traditional supporters group culture and game atmosphere, but it does get them through the turnstiles. 

"As a league we must continue to find ways to lure our base to physical games," Beckham said. "We can't solely rely on out outbound stream revenue, and we definitely don't want to completely lose the energy of the stands."

Ways to get banned and kicked out of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta United games

The Other United (DC) did a thing and their Twitter was up in arms today.  Here's the best recap of what the club did to a member of the District Ultras supporters group. 

If the Other United is now so decidedly protective of crap RFK Stadium, what's the Atlanta United brass going to crack down on Terminus Legion, Footie Mob and Resurgence over and ban fans from entering the brand new Mercedes-Benz Stadium? Will it be over crazy tailgates or in-game antics?

Maybe these things:

Drinking a Pepsi

Driving a Beamer

Arguing the "South does not have somethin' to say"

Calling fellow fans "plastic"

Smoke emitting from receptacle not containing meat

Bringing up Pro/Rel at the urinals

Foot races through the 100 Yard Bar

Not understanding a Freaknik reference

Debating any positive merits of referee Baldomero Toledo

No, you can't wear a Drew Brees jersey

Saying Atlanta United should have moved to Cobb County with the Braves

From Zlatan to Adu: Johan Venegas - V

This is the fifth installment of a 26-part series of players we'd like to see at Atlanta United FC as either a Designated Player or general roster spot. They will not all make sense but we will try to convince you anyway. #HailUnited #KingsOfTheSouth

Johan Venegas - Midfield - Montreal Impact - DOB 11/27/1988

These player choices are dumb

Sorry

So what's the deal with this guy?

Venegas is a recent MLS addition by the Montreal Impact who brought in the Costa Rican international late last season.

And?

He played pretty well in limited time on the field. Or at least a small MLS sample size. Venegas got 9 starts and 12 appearances. One regular season goal and another in the playoffs. The playoff goal against Columbus Crew SC was pretty slick.

BRACES GET BRACES

Venegas also has braces so basically going to call him, Mr. Two Goals or Nothing.

Why would Atlanta United want Johan Venegas?

Talented, experienced player who doesn't command a huge salary ($120K) or DP position. Does occupy an international spot but you could do worse. Much worse. Like an MLS Superdraft signing. Also a CONCACAF Champions League  alum from his time with L.D. Alajuelense even though that's a ways off for AUFC to even consider.

Does this make sense?

We can fudge this any which way, but bottom line is guy on the right side of 30 who can attack and be creative with the ball. May be missed for some national team call-ups but it seems like positives outweigh the negatives.

Freddy Adu & Drew Carey 2 Podcast s02e04

New US Soccer crest. Atlanta United supporters group had some get togethers. There some player news over with the Charleston Battery. Oh hey, season tickets.

MLS Fantasy season is upon us. Be prepared for annoying talk around that.

Freddy Adu has not had much preseason time on the field, even against his former teams.

Drew Carey gets a new girlfriend, we find out how he lost his virginity and we met the devil.

Atlanta United is hiring a bunch of women and that's really cool

Atlanta United announced today that it has hired Elena Cizmaric (above) and Heather Sautter as Director of Communications and Director of Corporate and Marketing Communications to lead strategic outreach efforts for the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium respectively. 

The women join Anna Rodriguez, Vice President of Business Operations, and Sarah Kate Noftsinger, unknown development role, as early front office hires for the MLS side.

Why does this matter? Because it's pretty satisfying as a fan of a team building from (essentially) nothing that it already has a pretty diversified FO. Were these people hired because they are women? Of course not. They were hired because they are experienced and worthy of the roles and we are more than excited to have them onboard. 

I probably didn't need to write this post but I wanted to.

Here's the rest of the Cizmaric, Sautter release:

Cizmaric joined AMB Group, LLC in 2014 as corporate communications director playing a lead role in strategic business communications responsibilities across the Arthur M. BlankFamily of Businesses with specific focus on the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium project. Cizmaric managed day-to-day activities around multiple high-profile announcements for Mercedes-Benz Stadium, including the stadium groundbreaking, naming rights and founding partner initiatives.

Sautter joins AMB Group from Atlanta-based Cooper Holdings where she headed public relations and communications, led social media strategy and supported brand marketing and events for key clients. Prior to that role she spent over a decade in various communications posts at Turner in Atlanta, leading the execution of strategic campaigns for original programming, premier events and collaboration with corporate communications at Turner and Time Warner on various initiatives.

Atlanta United Future Diary - February 19, 2027

Dateline: February 18, 2027

Coming into the team's tenth season, Atlanta United FC sits at a precipice. Does the front office lean into the bold strategy that got them to its position as one of the more formidable sides in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference, or begin separating itself from the same strategy that has left its roster extremely volatile.

Manager Carlos Bocanegra has been largely supportive of GM Nayvadius Wilburn's decisions when it comes to player personnel, but President Darren Eales, who ceded many day-to-day duties when the former rapper took over before the 2025 season and delivered the city of Atlanta's first professional championship in decades last season, has hinted that he thinks Wilburn's management style has some holes.

"It's not a sustainable model to only evaluate potential players on a digital scale," Eales said last December during Atlanta United's victory lap.

Wilburn has been highly criticized for scouting players purely on the EA Sports video game franchise FIFA, a habit he picked up as a touring musician. The GM was able to silence many haters last season after Atlanta United finished 3rd in the East on its way to the MLS Cup.

"What people don't understand with the complexities of the league's salary cap and different types of player designations is that you really need advanced scenarios to simulate what a roster should look like," Wilburn said before the 2026 season. "Show me another team whose utilized what EA Sports has put together and I'll show you a winner."

Atlanta United may be the firs team to fully immerse itself in FIFA, but teams around the world have long tinkered with Football Manager statistics and taken advantage of that game's scouting network. Now more MLS teams are following suit, including the San Jose Earthquakes and St. Louis FC.

Unfortunately the novel approach to personnel has taken its toll on locker room dynamics and that's where Eales has become very weary. United has had more players on trial over the past three seasons then any other team in MLS because of the hands-off initial approach, and has terminated more contracts (20) in-season then any other club.

"Just the cost of doing business," Wilburn noted.

The Atlanta United season tickets you don't want at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta United and Mercedes-Benz Stadium released season ticket info and prices for the 2017 season. Also, a cool interactive look at sight lines for the soccer setup from sections. Pretty exciting stuff. Basically every section looks like it's going to be provide good soccer watching angles and all-around fan experience.

However, regardless of price and section, here are a couple types of seat that will ruin almost any Atlanta United game. 

The seats behind the banner guy

Tifos are dope and great and Atlanta United totally needs them. You know where you don't necessarily need them? In the seats outside the supporters section. You want to be the guy in the red shirt stuck behind the two-pole banner people in a section you dropped $$$ on? Nah, B. I'm sure the stadium will have some sort of policy on this though.

The seats on the row of the thirsty person in the middle

How is this person still getting drinks? And that's like five hotdogs.  Do they have to get up every 10 minutes? What's this? They are yelling for the peanut guy? You haven't even finished your pretzel. I can't stand up anymore, it was leg day yesterday.

The seats in front of the "can't let it go" person

He (or she) is constantly over the back of your shoulder talking to their less-than-amused friend who can only mutter, "yeah," about how back in their day they could have held their own in MLS. Heck, they even thought about heading out to the Atlanta United tryouts but their boss was in town that day and, bro, they weren't going to pass up lunch sushi on the company dime. 

The seats in the area of the uninformed know-it-all

Also known as the "actually guy," he'll extoll the virtue of the 4-4-2 over the 4-3-3 without really knowing the tactical difference. That big DP signing? He wasn't that good for the "system," but can't explain the "system" when pressed further. Not at all scared to share an opinion very authoritatively though. Will get irrationally mad. Probably has an Atlanta United podcast. 

The seats next to Ted

Did you know almost every other country in the world uses a promotion/relegation system between teams in different divisions of professional soccer. Let me tell you about it for 90 minutes and how it will make everything in US soccer better but USSF is too greedy to make it happen. Oh, these seats? No, they aren't mine. My friend couldn't make it to the game and gave them to me. I would never support MLS. 

From Zlatan to Adu: Marvell Wynne - W

This is the fourth installment of a 26-part series of players we'd like to see at Atlanta United FC as either a Designated Player or general roster spot. They will not all make sense but we will try to convince you anyway. #HailUnited #KingsOfTheSouth

Marvell Wynne - Defense - San Jose Earthquakes - DOB 5/8/1986

Sound familiar?

His dad played professional baseball. 

But Wynne has also been around the USMNT 

Not like he's currently featuring or anything but he's got 5 caps under his belt. Or, more correctly, on his head.

And lots of time in MLS

Wynne has been in the league since being drafted out of UCLA in '05. Since then he's played a combined 265 matches for the New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC, Colorado Rapids and, most recently, San Jose Earthquakes. That includes the MLS Cup winning Rapids team. 

But, is he good?

He'd be in his 12th season in 2017, but 2015 saw a career high in minutes for the back. Wynne is also versatile, being able to play out wide or as a (albeit short) CB. He's long been regarded for his speed.

Why would Atlanta United want Marvell Wynne? 

He was a huge part of one of the MLS' best backlines last season and wouldn't be a huge hit on the salary cap ($190K base salary in 2015 that would probably go down as a 30/31-year-old).  Wynne also has an insane ability to stay on the field, having only received one yellow card in over 2,500 minutes last year. 

An experienced player in an area (defense) that always seems to plague expansion teams.

Does this make sense?

Read that other sentence. "An experienced player in an area that always seems to plague expansion teams."

Of course it makes sense. Darren Eales has said he'd prefer younger, in their prime DPs, but this move would not necessitate that kind of price tag and a guy like Wynne could easily play several years in black and red. Also does not occupy an international spot.

Marvell Wynne is a good character guy and a very good defender. Plug him in, Atlanta United.

Some other Ws

Rodney Wallace - Would have been great but he left an MLS Cup winning side to try his luck in Portugal. His relatively low $165K base salary with his experience and skill at the position would have been a great starting point for an expansion club.

London Woodberry - Started for a bit with New England Revolution in 2015 but wasn't consistent. Cheap, quick outside back though. Came up through the FC Dallas academy which has a pretty good track record.

Walker Zimmerman - Makes the most sense for Atlanta United since he's from Lawrenceville,  GA but they love him in Dallas so unless ATLUTD pries him away with some allocation $$$ it's not happening.

Freddy Adu & Drew Carey 2 Podcast s02e03

Atlanta United has season ticket prices, even if the team doesn't have a stadium.

Freddy Adu was on everyone's mind.

ATLUTD was able to make some player signings with Junior Burgos and Alex Tambakis. That's because of this Charleston Battery USL deal. 

Drew and Kate had some relationship issues on The Drew Carey Show.

Atlanta United New Balance Jersey Concept - Davide Lanave

We had previously gotten an Atlanta United New Balance kit from Nerea Palacios.

This one from Davide Lanave is pretty slick too.

Of course we will only ever get adidas in the foreseeable future. 

Atlanta United signs NASL Goal of the Year winner Junior Burgos

The second signing for Atlanta United will spend the year in Tampa Bay with the Rowdies recruiting playing with Freddy Adu.

Junior Burgos has spent time as an Atlanta Silverbacks, which is where he dropped that bomb you see above.

Burgos was originally drafted by Toronto FC back in 2012.

He's also got a couple caps with the El Salvador national team.

We are happy with this.