Atlanta United had the best offseason out of any MLS club, according to an anonymous executive survey The Athletic published on March 7. Eight out of the 21 MLS executives polled put Atlanta United at the top of their list, far and away exceeding the second-place teams that each received three votes.
Atlanta United was the biggest offseason spender according to the article, and that money went to more than players. The hires of chief soccer officer Chris Henderson and head coach Ronny Deila were cited as factors for many of the executives who cast their vote for Atlanta.
Henderson was indeed the clear frontrunner in the category for best coaching or front office hire of the offseason. The reunion with club president & CEO Garth Lagerwey, who he previously worked with at Seattle Sounders, was a factor for many. In Henderson's introductory press conference, Lagerwey called his colleague, "one of the most decorated executives in MLS history." Henderson has won nine titles in his 17-year career in MLS front offices before arriving to Atlanta in December.
In the The Athletic survey, Henderson received 9.5 votes, nearly half of the total polled. Interestingly, the half vote came from the one executive who pointed to the package of hiring Deila and Henderson. Deila had 1.5 votes for best offseason hire.
When it comes to player signings, Atlanta again was toward the top. The two designated player deals made this offseason showed up under best move of the winter (signing, trade or sale). Atlanta signing Miguel Almirón received the most votes, tied with FC Cincinnati replacing Luciano Acosta with Evander. Atlanta signing Emmanuel Latte Lath was second.
In total, Atlanta United received seven votes, more than any other club in that category.
Mateusz Klich, another key acquisition this winter for Atlanta, also showed up under best value contract in MLS. Atlanta received the Polish midfielder from D.C. United in exchange for their first round pick in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft. Klich holds a designated player spot, which remains with D.C., essentially giving Atlanta United a DP-caliber player on a senior roster salary.
For those reasons, Atlanta United was one of just six clubs predicted most likely to take home hardware. Two executives predicted Atlanta United would win the MLS Cup and two predicted Atlanta United would win the Supporters’ Shield.
Inter Miami CF and FC Cincinnati, the next two opponents on Atlanta United’s schedule, received the most votes in those two categories.
