MARIETTA, Ga. — Huddled in the center of the pitch on a brisk Georgia morning, Atlanta United’s coaching staff looked both new and familiar all at once. Head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino, the architect of the club’s first trophy-winning era, stood once again at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground — this time facing a new challenge in 2026.
Flanked by several staff members who helped shape Atlanta United’s identity in 2017 and 2018, Martino watched as the roster filtered onto Field 1. Faces old and new stepped onto the grass with a shared purpose: bring the 5-Stripes back to winning ways.
From the opening whistle, intensity was unmistakable. The first day of preseason training featured dynamic warmups, sharp passing sequences, and a reintroduction for teammates who had spent the offseason scattered across the globe. There was no easing into it.
“I see the group united,” Miguel Almirón said in Spanish after Monday’s session. “I see guys working in a good way, motivated for this season.”
Reset After a Difficult 2025
Almirón and striker Emmanuel Latte Lath addressed the media following training, both coming off their first true offseason in over a year after joining Atlanta United mid-season in 2025.
“A little break is always helpful, mentally and physically,” Almirón said. “Last year was a difficult and strange season for all of us.”
The expanded training ground — including a new press conference room — served as a reminder that the club continues to invest forward, even after a campaign that fell short of expectations. Players acknowledged that disappointment openly, but the weight of 2025 is already lifting.
“[Last year I learned] how to suffer,” Latte Lath said. “We suffered a lot… There is a time where you have to step back and confront the reality. To suffer is a really good lesson.”
That lesson now fuels the mindset for 2026.
“I really come back with another mindset,” Latte Lath added. “I’m ready to go. I don’t escape from last season — I use it.”
A Rebuilt Foundation
Atlanta United’s offseason activity under Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson has already begun reshaping the roster. December signings Tomás Jacob and Lucas Hoyos, both from Argentina, are expected to integrate into the squad in the coming weeks, with more additions likely before the Feb. 21 season opener.
“Any player that’s willing to help the group and the club will be welcomed,” Almirón said.
Collaboration across the organization will be critical, and the players are confident Martino’s leadership will be central to that effort.
“He allows players to speak freely, to express ourselves,” Almirón said. “That gives us confidence when we enter the pitch. Tata manages that very well.”
For Almirón, Martino remains a father figure — and for the club, his return represents continuity, clarity, and belief.
Martino is expected to speak later this week as he evaluates the squad and begins shaping a system that maximizes Almirón, Latte Lath, and Alexey Miranchuk — while reinforcing accountability across the roster.
“I think Tata’s return is not only going to help me,” Almirón said. “It’s going to help the team, the club, the city. Now we just have to work hard and prepare for the season.”
Call to Action
Atlanta United is back to work — and the road to 2026 starts now.
Follow preseason coverage, roster updates, and match previews as the 5-Stripes prepare for the new MLS season under Tata Martino.
Author: Quique Lopez
Quique Lopez doesn’t just cover soccer—he deconstructs it with the precision of a veteran and the wit of a storyteller. A former player who sees the pitch as both a tactical chessboard and a cultural stage, Quique balances sharp critiques with a genuine love for the game’s soul. He’s as quick to call out the ego of a superstar as he is to find the hidden beauty in a local derby.