Atlanta United technical director and vice president Carlos Bocanegra explained the club’s decisions in their summer signings as they look to return to the MLS playoffs in 2023.
Atlanta made a flurry of signings before MLS’ secondary transfer window closed shut on 2 August. At the same time, they also transferred a couple of players out the door on permanent deals.
The Five Stripes’ first addition was midfielder Tristan Muyumba from Ligue 2 side EA Guingamp. Muyumba made his Atlanta debut in their 1-1 (5-4) loss to Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup and looked impressive in midfield.
“You guys have seen him play. He’s got that technical ability. He’s got that ability to combine and also play defense. He’s kind of an all-action guy. But really, he’s helping us solidify that middle,” said Bocanegra to reporters on Thursday after the window closed.
Midfielder Marcelino Moreno left Atlanta in January to join Brazilian side Coritiba on loan. However, Coritiba decided to make his move permanent, and coupled with Franco Ibarra’s loan move to Toronto FC, the 2018 MLS Cup champions were in need of a midfielder.
Moving further up the field, Atlanta brought in three forwards from Europe. Jamal Thiare joins Atlanta on a free transfer from French side Le Havre, who achieved promotion to Ligue 1 last season. From the surface, Thiare will more than likely provide cover for starting striker Giorgos Giakoumakis and compete for minutes with Miguel Berry.
“A great forward up there. He’s happy to bang and get dirty and run the channels and chase lost causes. He presses. He’s a similar profile to GG [Giorgos Giakoumakis] where they just hustle and they’re not afraid to mix it up.”
Another forward Atlanta added to head coach Gonzalo Pineda’s squad was Georgia international Saba Lobzhanidze. The 28-year-old joins as a Designated Player, with several rumors circulating that Atlanta may buy his contract down before the start of next season – meaning he would no longer be a Designated Player, his salary would fall under the salary cap and Atlanta could use that open slot to sign a ‘marquee’ player.
Atlanta has been crying out for a winger to assist in the attack with Giakoumakis and one of the league’s best players, Thiago Almada.
“Saba will come inside and combine. He likes to run in behind. He’s energetic. We compared him to a Paul Arriola, Tito Villalba type of profile. Not player-to-player, just more of that profile, that they’re constantly running and constantly on the move,” Bocanegra said.
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The only addition that wasn’t a permanent signing was Xande Silva on loan from Dijon FCO. Silva has played at several well-known clubs such as Nottingham Forest and West Ham United in the Premier League. Atlanta also has a buy option at the end of Silva’s loan in December to make his move permanent for the 2024 season.
“He [Silva] comes inside a lot. Normally, he plays off the left and he comes inside, can combine off his right foot. He’s right-footed. So we have that ability also, to stretch the team vertically and give them a step.”
Atlanta was able to add several forwards to their ranks because of the departure of Luiz Araujo, who was a Designated Player on their books, as he left for Brazilian giants Flamengo.
“We looked at a lot of different leagues and we looked at a lot of players this window. You try to be opportunistic with your signings and try to get value. We feel that that league is pretty darn athletic and translates here also,” Bocanegra said about signing players from the French leagues.
Bocanegra and the front office staff in Atlanta will hope their summer signings can propel them to a strong finish in the business end of the 2023 MLS season. If the Five Stripes are to make a push for a strong playoff spot, they’ll have to start on a positive note on the road in one MLS’ toughest venues, Lumen Field, against the Seattle Sounders on 20 August.
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