Atlanta United’s offseason moves have turned heads across Major League Soccer, with the club being ranked No. 1 in offseason success by an anonymous MLS executive survey published by The Athletic on March 7.
Out of 21 MLS executives polled, eight named Atlanta United as having the best offseason—more than double the votes received by any other team.
Biggest Spenders, Biggest Impact
Atlanta didn’t just spend big on players—their investments in front office and coaching leadership were also game-changing. The hires of chief soccer officer Chris Henderson and head coach Ronny Deila were key reasons why so many executives backed Atlanta’s offseason strategy.
Henderson, in particular, was the runaway winner for the best coaching or front office hire of the winter, receiving 9.5 votes—nearly half of the total polled. His reunion with club president & CEO Garth Lagerwey, whom he previously worked with at Seattle Sounders, was a major talking point. Lagerwey himself called Henderson “one of the most decorated executives in MLS history”, with nine titles across 17 years in MLS front offices.
Deila, meanwhile, also earned 1.5 votes for best hire, showing that Atlanta’s leadership overhaul was widely respected across the league.
Top Transfers: Almirón & Latte Lath Shine
Atlanta United’s player acquisitions also stood out. In the best offseason move category (signing, trade, or sale), the club’s marquee signing of Miguel Almirón tied for first alongside FC Cincinnati’s move for Evander to replace Luciano Acosta.
The Emmanuel Latte Lath signing wasn’t far behind, finishing second in voting.
Overall, Atlanta United received seven votes—more than any other team—for making the best roster moves of the winter.
Mateusz Klich: Best Value Signing?
Another under-the-radar steal for Atlanta was the acquisition of Mateusz Klich from D.C. United. Atlanta secured the Polish midfielder in exchange for a 2025 first-round SuperDraft pick, while his designated player (DP) status remained with D.C. This essentially gives Atlanta a DP-caliber player on a senior roster salary, making it one of the best-value deals in MLS.
MLS Cup Contenders?
With such a strong offseason, it’s no surprise that Atlanta United was one of just six clubs predicted to win a trophy this year. Two executives picked Atlanta to win the MLS Cup, while another two predicted they’d take home the Supporters’ Shield.
Interestingly, Atlanta’s next two opponents—Inter Miami CF and FC Cincinnati—were the two teams that received the most votes in both categories.
With an upgraded squad, an experienced coaching staff, and a front office built for success, Atlanta United has positioned itself as a serious contender in 2025.
