Football Season Guide

After a tremendous season in 2017, Atlanta will be looking to build upon their reputation as arguably the most successful debut expansion team MLS has ever seen. Comfortably finishing in the playoff positions, but seeing an early first round exit at the hands of the Columbus Crew, Atlanta showed so much promise throughout the season, gaining a positive reputation for their free-flowing, attacking style of football. Scoring an impressive total of 70 goals, United were outscored by just one team over the course of the season, that being the 2017 champions, Toronto FC. Head coach, Gerardo Martino, has strengthened in several areas over the off-season, with Atlanta looking even more dangerous heading into the new campaign. The arrival of Darlington Nagbe from the Portland Timbers could potentially be one of the best pieces of business conducted throughout the entire league. Nagbe, a seasoned MLS regular, US international, and 2015 MLS Cup champion will add some grit to United’s midfield, and will no doubt become a firm favourite amongst the Atlanta faithful. The other exciting arrival comes in the form of $15 million man, Ezequiel Barco. Signing from Argentine champions, Independiente, Barco may only be young at the age of 18, but he has the potential to set the league alight with his blistering pace and quick feet. While Atlanta may have lost the presence of Yamil Asad to DC United, Barco is a more than suitable replacement, who will hope to strike up a solid partnership with Josef Martinez and Miguel Almiron up front.