Atlanta United availability report: Dominik Chong Qui called up for home opener 

The first availability report of the season is out for Atlanta United, and all of the club's designated players, including those signed this offseason, are fully available for Saturday's home opener.

Emmanuel Latte Lath, the speedy center forward signed from Middlesbrough FC in England, is poised to make his MLS debut. Saturday won't be the debut for Miguel Almirón, but he's bound to get a reception for the ages when he returns after six seasons in the English Premier League to the place where he won the 2018 MLS Cup with Atlanta United. He'll be looking to make his 50th career goal contribution in MLS.

The prospect of seeing these two high-profile signings in front of an estimated 60,000-plus is generating an electric buzz for the club's ninth season in Major League Soccer.

"Mentally going into it, it's a sense of readiness and one we're looking forward to," goalkeeper Brad Guzan said Thursday.

Atlanta United goes into their season opener thin on defenders with injuries to Brooks Lennon, Pedro Amador and, listed as questionable as of Friday, Derrick Williams. To make sure the numbers are good at that position, Atlanta United announced today it has signed Dominik Chong Qui to a short-term agreement.

Chong Qui is a defender known mostly for his play with Atlanta United 2, accumulating more than 1,100 minutes for the squad in MLS NEXT Pro in 2024. This year, he's seen plenty of action in preseason with the first team. He's appeared in Atlanta's friendlies against MLS clubs, including the most recent win over FC Dallas. On the pitch, the 17-year-old has impressed with his defending and confidence on the ball.

With that in mind, another defender could very well make his first career MLS start: Matt Edwards, the Homegrown fullback who played college soccer at UNC and debuted for the club last year on the road at Real Salt Lake.

Like Chong Qui, Edwards has been active in preseason. He made the start last week in the finale against FC Dallas. He and Ronald Hernández were the two fullbacks. Head coach Ronny Deila was asked about that pairing during media availability on Thursday:

"Ronald has been better and better, and he can play both positions, so that's really important to us. Matt is just getting better and better. Defensively, I saw earlier what kind of potential he has when you talk about power and speed. He's also concentrated and good 1v1. Matt has also developed himself offensively as well. I'm looking forward to seeing both of them when we come to the real deal."

Good news for the backline is that Stian Gregersen is listed as available. The Norwegian has been making his way back from an injury he sustained in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Orlando City SC. He's been building up all preseason and put in some competitive minutes February 15 against FC Dallas (making one sliding tackle that evoked resounding applause from the Atlanta United bench).

Gregersen has been training really well, according to his manager Thursday, and should be good to go.