First appeared in the MLS in 2017, Atlanta United FC have got an excellent season behind them and are coming into this season with expectations to once again reach for the silverware. Looking at the 2018 season Atlanta finished 2nd in the Eastern Conference, won the MLS Cup after beating Portland Timbers in the finals 2:0 and won the Supporters’ Shield. With their excellent performances, they also qualified for the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League.
Head Coach: Frank de Boer
In December 2018 Frank de Boer was announced as the head coach of Atlanta United FC after the departure of Gerardo Martino. Frank de Boer gathered his experience as the assistant manager in Netherlands team, head coach of Ajax, Inter Milan and most recently Crystal Palace, where he lasted only 10 weeks, due to terrible performances of the English team. This will be his 1st season as the head coach of Atlanta United with a tough challenge ahead of him, trying to repeat the successful performance last season when Atlanta got their hands on the first trophy.
Transfers
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| Date | Name | Moving from | Moving to | Mode of Transfer |
| February 12, 2019 | Chris McCann | Atlanta United | D.C. United | Waivers |
| January 31, 2019 | Miguel Almirón | Atlanta United | Newcastle United | Transfer |
| December 11, 2018 | Greg Garza | Atlanta United | FC Cincinnati | Trade |
| January 30, 2019 | Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu | Atlanta United | FC Tucson | Free |
| January 24, 2019 | Pity Martínez | River Plate | Atlanta United | Transfer |
| January 9, 2019 | Brendan Moore | Rochdale | Atlanta United | Free |
| January 15, 2019 | Dion Pereira | Watford | Atlanta United | Transfer |
| February 5, 2019 | Florentin Pogba | Gençlerbirliği | Atlanta United | Discovery signing |
| December 30, 2018 | Brek Shea | Vancouver Whitecaps | Atlanta United | Free |
| January 24, 2019 | Pity Martínez | River Plate | Atlanta United | Transfer |
| January 9, 2019 | Brendan Moore | Rochdale | Atlanta United | Free |
| January 15, 2019 | Dion Pereira | Watford | Atlanta United | Transfer |
| February 5, 2019 | Florentin Pogba | Gençlerbirliği | Atlanta United | Discovery signing |
| December 30, 2018 | Brek Shea | Vancouver Whitecaps | Atlanta United | Free |
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Expectations for the 2019 season
One of the strongest contenders to win the MLS Cup, which is not surprising after their phenomenal run last season. Not only have they got a squad that can win the league on its own, but Atlanta also added Pity Martinez to their ranks, which in my eyes makes them the favourites for a back-to-back championship run. We can expect a slow start for this team with the new coach e.g. transition period, however, once they get rolling there will be only a few teams that will be able to stop them.
