Vice president and technical director of Atlanta United Carlos Bocanegra gave an explanation of the team’s summer signing choices as they want to make a run at the MLS playoffs in 2023.
Just before the MLS’s secondary transfer window closed on August 2, Atlanta made a flurry of signings. They also moved a few players out on permanent contracts at the same time.
First up for the Five Stripes was Ligue 2 team EA Guingamp’s midfielder Tristan Muyumba. In Atlanta’s 1-1 (5-4) League Cup loss to Cruz Azul, Muyumba made his debut and displayed great midfield play.
“You all have witnessed him perform. He possesses that technological skill. He is capable of both combining and playing defense. He is a bit of an action person. However, in reality, he’s assisting us in strengthening that middle,” Bocanegra told reporters on Thursday following the window’s closure.
In January, Marcelino Moreno, a midfielder, departed Atlanta to sign a loan with Coritiba of Brazil. Nevertheless, Coritiba made the decision to stay, and the 2018 MLS Cup winners needed a midfielder after Franco Ibarra was loaned to Toronto FC.
Three European forwards were brought in by Atlanta to help them advance up the field. Jamal Thiare leaves French team Le Havre, who was promoted to Ligue 1 the previous season, to sign a free agent contract with Atlanta. On the surface, Thiare will probably compete with Miguel Berry for minutes and cover for starting striker Giorgos Giakoumakis.
“That forward is excellent. He enjoys running the channels, getting his hands filthy, and pursuing lost causes. He pushes. He has GG [Giorgos Giakoumakis]’s type in that they both work hard and don’t mind making mistakes.”
International player Saba Lobzhanidze from Georgia was another forward that Atlanta added to head coach Gonzalo Pineda’s team. The 28-year-old is joining the team as a Designated Player, but there have been some rumors that Atlanta may buy down his contract before the 2019–20 season begins. If this happens, he would no longer be considered a Designated Player, his salary would be subject to the salary cap, and Atlanta would be free to sign a “marquee” player.
With Giakoumakis and one of the greatest players in the league, Thiago Almada, Atlanta has been begging for a winger to help out on the attack.
Saba is going to enter and merge. He enjoys coming up behind. He is vivacious. We likened his profile to that of Paul Arriola or Tito Villalba. Not player-to-player, but more along the lines of that profile—that is, that they are always moving and sprinting,” Bocanegra remarked.
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Xande Silva, who was signed on loan from Dijon FCO, was the only new player who wasn’t a permanent fixture. Silva has participated in the game for a number of renowned teams, including West Ham United and Nottingham Forest.
“He [Silva] comes inside a lot. Normally, he plays off the left and he comes inside, can combine off his right foot. He’s right-footed. So we have that ability also, to stretch the team vertically and give them a step.”
Luiz Araujo, a designated player on Atlanta’s roster, left for Brazilian powerhouse Flamengo, opening up space for many forwards to join the team.
“We examined numerous First Division teams as well as numerous other leagues. After Silva’s loan expires in December of 2024–2025, Atlanta will also have the option to purchase Silva, making his relocation permanent for the 2024–2025 season.They are hoping that their summer acquisitions will help them close the 2023 MLS season well. The Five Stripes will need to start the season strong if they hope to contend with the Seattle Sounders on the road at Lumen Field, one of the hardest venues in Major League Soccer.
