Atlanta United opened its preseason slate Saturday with a tough matchup against MLS NEXT Pro side Chattanooga FC. Two weeks into preseason, Atlanta United put their legs to work in a competition for the first time in 2025 and eventually lost the friendly at Finley 2-1.
Here's what happened
Saturday was the first competition for Atlanta United under new head coach Ronny Deila. He sent out two separate groups for each 45-minute half. The second 45 had a more frenetic energy than the first, and all three goals happened within a 10-minute span in the second half.
Atlanta's manager said this week that he was more interested in tasks over results in this first friendly. He also said that he wanted to see how the group would respond when going up or down a goal. Atlanta United conceded twice after scoring the opener, which will be something to work on this week before the next friendly.
Key takeaway: We saw good performances out of some young players: Dominik Chong Qui, Luke Brennan, Matt Edwards, the goal scorer Ronan Wynne. Players took risks. They played audaciously and made a good impression in this first match.
Most importantly, the main takeaway is what we already knew before heading into today. It's January. It's preseason. Although the team would certainly want a win, this stage of the year is more about getting fit and getting back into a rhythm -- with the ball and with teammates. It was important to have this game so Deila can know what he's working with and where to take the team next as they continue toward the regular season opener in late February.
First half starting XI
Brad Guzan, Tristan Muyumba, Jamal Thiaré, Luke Brennan, Noah Cobb, Mateusz Klich, Luis Abram, Xande Silva, Matt Edwards, Dominik Chong Qui, Alexey Miranchuk
- Both players who spoke to media on Thursday were in the first XI. Tristan Muyumba talked about getting healthy after dealing with a few minor injuries at the end of last season: "I'm happy because I tried to walk a lot during the offseason, and I can feel my body is good and I'm in good shape." Other than goalkeeper Guzan, Muyumba played the most minutes in 2024 out of this first group.
- For Noah Cobb, Saturday was a return home. Cobb was born in Chattanooga, Tenn. and began his youth career at Chattanooga FC. He expected some friends and family in the crowd today at Finley Stadium.
- Dominik Chong Qui was signed by Atlanta United 2 in December from the Academy. He'll join the first team on an MLS contract as a Homegrown beginning in 2026. He started the day at left fullback.
- Mateusz Klich made his first appearance for Atlanta United. The professional veteran was acquired this offseason from D.C. United where he was a designated player.
Notes on the first half
- Head coach Ronny Deila spoke to the depth on defense this week, and we saw that in the first starting XI. Matt Edwards and Chong Qui filled in at fullback. They have one MLS appearance between them. Cobb joined Luis Abram as the two starting center backs.
- The team opened in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
- Klich took the first direct free kick for Atlanta about 25 yards out. He put a shot on frame, which required a diving block from Chattanooga FC goalkeeper Eldin Jakupović.
- The first goal nearly arrived for Chattanooga FC in the 29th minute after a sloppy giveaway forced Atlanta United to recover quickly. Cobb blocked the shot and Guzan came off his line to prevent a goal from Norwegian forward Markus Naglestad.
- Alexey Miranchuk had the best chance for Atlanta in the first half at the 36-minute mark. From the wing, Edwards played a pass to Miranchuk centrally. His low-driven shot from the top of the 18-yard box was a narrow miss that might've grazed the post.
- Luke Brennan, under heavy pressure inside the box, made a brilliant spin turn in traffic in the 40th minute. His shot was blocked, but it was a bold, eye-catching play from the 19-year-old midfielder.
Takeaways from a scoreless first half
It was a good start from the first group, which included some starters from last season as well as some youngsters. Chong Qui put in some valuable minutes and looked like he belonged with the first team, making long crosses and defending well. Klich was also active in his first appearance, looking comfortable and showing chemistry already with teammates.
The Matt Edwards-Luke Brennan connection on the right side brought some creative gameplay. At one point, Chong Qui sent a long cross to Edwards on the opposite side. Edwards flicked it on with a header, and Brennan was able to run it down and put two dangerous crosses into the box back-to-back.
Second half starting XI
Josh Cohen, Ronald Hernández, Efraín Morales, Edwin Mosquera, Bartosz Slisz, Saba Lobjanidze, Stian Gregersen, Will Reilly, Jay Fortune, Ronan Wynne, Cayman Togashi
- Efraín Morales and Stian Gregersen paired up as the center backs.
- This was the first appearance for Cayman Togashi, the striker acquired from Japan this offseason.
- Will Reilly and Ronan Wynne also made their first appearances for the 5-Stripes. Reilly was signed as a Homegrown player in early December. The midfielder was part of the club’s inaugural Academy roster and played collegiately at Stanford. Wynne, a native of New Zealand, was a SuperDraft selection out of the University of Denver.
Notes on the second half
- Wynne was the goal scorer late in the second half. The SuperDraft pick outfought everyone on a corner kick to convert a header. Saba delivered excellent service for the assist.
- Chattanooga equalized just moments later in the 83rd minute on an unassisted goal by Jesus Ibarra. Chattanooga took the lead, scoring off a set piece, to make it 2-1 in the 87th minute.
- Atlanta United very nearly evened the match in the final moments. On a free kick, Saba lofted the ball into the box. Morales put a header on goal that required a good save from Chattanooga local product Michael Barrueta.
- The goalkeeper saved the game for the home team in added minutes when Edwin Mosquera put a dangerous diving volley on frame that was very nearly the equalizer for Atlanta.
- Chattanooga FC sent on all trialists to fill the backline in the second half. Names were not announced for the trial players and numbers were used to identify the players on the broadcast.
- It was a little sloppy for Atlanta United at times in the second half and the team missed some connections. After a takeaway, Jay Fortune came up with the ball on a 3v3 situation in Atlanta's attacking half. The midfielder missed Togashi's run on the right side and Atlanta couldn't quite take adavantage of the turnover.
- Togashi nearly scored early in his first friendly for the club. Reilly sent a driven cross from the goal line that Togashi attempted to deflect in front of goal. The striker tipped the ball, but made more contact than perhaps he intended and resulted in a miss.
- Bartosz Slisz expertly got out of a double team around midfield to ignite a quick-developing Atlanta attack. The play resulted in a cross into the box from Saba, but no one got on the end of it for a shot.
Up next - Preseason match at Birmingham Legion
Atlanta United's preseason continues next Saturday, Feb. 1 at Protective Stadium with a friendly against Birmingham Legion. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET. The match will be streamed on atlutd.com/live.
