Ronny Deila was the first man on the pitch Thursday morning at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground. Not an assistant, not a player—the head coach himself. Before the sun had fully settled over Marietta, Deila was out there, setting up cones, preparing drills, and leading by example. That’s the kind of leadership that defines Atlanta United—hard work, accountability, and a commitment to the grind.
And right now, trust is exactly what the Five Stripes need. Trust in each other, trust in their abilities, and trust in the preparation that will propel them forward. With five home games in their next six matches—most against Eastern Conference foes—this stretch is a massive opportunity to shake off the Charlotte setback and climb toward a top-four finish.
First up: a showdown with the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, March 8, at 7:30 p.m.
“It doesn’t matter who we play—we have to go for three points,” said winger Saba Lobjanidze after training.
Reinforcements on the Horizon
Atlanta United has yet to see its full-strength squad take the pitch this season, but that moment is getting closer. Fullbacks Pedro Amador and Brooks Lennon are back in training, and Deila expects them to be available soon. Their return will be a huge boost, especially after center back Luis Abram had to fill in at fullback against Charlotte.
In their absence, homegrowns Matt Edwards and Dominik Chong Qui stepped up, proving they can hold their own. They’ll continue to push Amador and Lennon in training and provide depth off the bench.
“We’ll have more width in the squad,” Deila said. “Fullbacks and wingers cover so much ground—it’s crucial to have rotation so we can keep attacking at full speed.”
Mateusz Klich, who missed the Charlotte match with flu-like symptoms, is also back in training and could be ready for Saturday.
Sharpening the Attack
Building chemistry takes time, but Atlanta’s attack is beginning to click. Thursday’s training session focused heavily on movement in the box—players making runs, delivering crosses, and finishing under pressure. The pace of this squad makes any counterattack dangerous, but the next step is turning that speed into sharp, decisive finishing.
For Lobjanidze, who’s adjusting to playing on the left instead of the right, it’s all about refining his decision-making—when to cut inside, when to take on defenders, and when to play the final ball.
“It’s a new team, it’s normal,” Lobjanidze said. “There are mistakes, but there are also good things. We’re all learning.”
Deila has no doubt that Saba will be firing on all cylinders soon.
“His eagerness to succeed is unbelievably big,” Deila said. “He just needs to focus on what he has to do, and the rest will come naturally.”
Mentality Matters
Every soccer player knows the sting of going down 1-0. Frustration creeps in, doubt lurks. But Deila is focused on keeping his team composed and sticking to the game plan—even when adversity hits.
“It’s about what we do when we go down,” Deila said. “We have to keep doing the same things. Don’t panic and change everything—trust what was working.”
Against the Red Bulls, discipline will be key. New York doesn’t play a possession-heavy style—they let Nashville dominate the ball last weekend but still won 2-0. That means Atlanta will need to be smart, exploit space, and stay organized defensively.
“It’s a totally different game from the others,” Deila said. “Every opponent has their own style, and we know what we have to do.”
Through two matches, Atlanta United has shown flashes of brilliance, especially in the first half. Now, it’s about sustaining that intensity for a full 90 minutes.
Saturday night, under the bright lights of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Five Stripes have a chance to make a statement. The drums will pound, the Golden Spike will be driven, and the Atlanta faithful will be in full voice.
It’s time to trust the process and turn belief into results.
