Atlanta United won its third of five 2025 preseason matches, a 2-0 victory over New England Revolution at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. The 5-Stripes showcased some of the high attacking potential that they expect to fulfill while putting in an even more impressive defensive stand.
Here's what happened
What started as a back-and-forth match turned into a convincing display, as Atlanta United grabbed the reins with clinical finishing. Both teams put on the pressure, and Atlanta United's defense stayed cool the longest. And, once again, head coach Ronny Deila's players looked the better as the game went on, showing just how well those training sessions are preparing the squad for the intensity of a regular season.
We saw what should be closer to a typical starting XI in the first half. As the regular season opener draws nearer, Deila values seeing how his best pieces will fit together and letting them build chemistry.
First half starting XI
Brad Guzan, Ronald Hernández, Derrick Williams, Saba Lobjanidze, Miguel Almirón, Jamal Thiaré, Mateusz Klich, Luis Abram, Dominik Chong Qui, Alexey Miranchuk, Bartosz Slisz
Takeaways from first half
Both teams created a few key chances, but it was Atlanta United that took them early on.
Jamal Thiaré's persistence paid off. After hitting a header from a Ronald Hernández cross straight to the keeper in the 11th minute, he found the back of the net with another. A set piece, like against Birmingham Legion, once again yielded a goal for Atlanta United. Alexey Miranchuk's cross whipped in from the right side to the back post, and this time Thiaré's header was online to put the 5-Stripes ahead in 33rd minute. They scored again from a corner kick just three minutes later, but a handball as the ball bounced around in the box ruled the goal out.
Miguel Almirón's return to the club paid dividends on the pitch immediately. His pace and control on the ball stood out, and even with less time to train with the squad in the preseason, he's fitting into the Atlanta United attack seamlessly so far. Almirón's positional instincts are well-developed, too, as he was oftentimes tucking inside from the right wing either to receive the ball or progress it.
The true star of the first half, though, was the defense. Atlanta United's backline was disciplined to say the least. The back four held their line firmly and drew New England offsides on a couple of occasions, including on a set piece.
Brad Guzan's distribution was a bright spot of Atlanta United's build-up play. Even with little time or from odd angles, he found someone in open space to get the ball moving up the pitch. As the 5-Stripes look to play out from the back more often under Deila, he and the centerbacks will be asked to make more precise and decisive passes.
New England looked to target the right-hand side when attacking, but the youngster Dominik Chong Qui stood his ground. The 17-year-old has strung together some standout performances in the preseason, and today's start was evidence that he is gaining his coach's trust.
Revolution's plan in defense was similar to Atlanta United's: pressure all over the place. Barring a couple of misplaced touches and passes, the 5-Stripes were up to the task in possession, even while getting pressed. New England heated up the 5-Stripe defense as the half unraveled, but nothing materialized due to some timely clearances by Luis Abram and Derrick Williams.
Second half substitutions
45' Josh Cohen for Brad Guzan
69' Ronan Wynne for Dominik Chong Qui, Tristan Muyumba for Mateusz Klich, Jay Fortune for Bartosz Slisz, Cayman Togashi for Jamal Thiaré, Xande Silva for Alexey Miranchuk, Luke Brennan for Miguel Almirón, Edwin Mosquera for Saba Lobjanidze, Efraín Morales for Luis Abram, Noah Cobb for Derrick Williams, Will Reilly for Ronald Hernández
Takeaways from second half
Whatever Deila said to the team at halftime, it worked. Atlanta United came out even more dangerous in attack and stayed just as composed in defense.
Mateusz Klich took advantage of a second chance in the 56th minute, trapping a soft clearance and putting his laces through the ball to grab a second for Atlanta United. His shot found the left side of the net untouched.
The 5-Stripes didn't stop creating chances there. Miranchuk's curled right-foot strike forced a good save in the 64th minute. Saba Lobjanidze had a shot saved in the 68th as well. The chances were coming from a variety of different sources, a hallmark of a balanced attack. Some came on counterattacks up the middle. Some, like Klich's goal, came from winning the ball high up the pitch. Some were sourced from out wide with incisive crossing. Maintaining that versatility in attack will be key as the regular season gets underway.
Bartosz Slisz made a shot-saving tackle in the 67th minute tracking back from the midfield. He and Klich played the defensive midfield double pivot, but both were covering lots of space up and down the pitch.
A delayed line swap of substitutions gives us insight into how far along the Atlanta United squad is in terms of fitness. The early impression? Very encouraging. The players looked almost more willing to makes runs and pursue the ball as they dominated the first part of the second half. In the 69th minute, Deila made the entire-outfield substitution.
In the late stages, it was more about solidifying the back line and preserving the result than going to grab a third goal. And Atlanta United did just that. Josh Cohen made a late save on what was maybe New England's best chance of the game in the 90th minute, and the 5-Stripes saw the game out from there.
Up next – Two more MLS foes
Atlanta United’s preseason rounds out with two more matches, the next being February 12 against FC Cincinnati. They'll stay at IMG Academy for that matchup before heading back to Marietta, Ga. for their final friendly against FC Dallas at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground February 15. Both matches are closed to the public but will be streamed live on atlutd.com/live.
