It could be an entirely different type of show on the field when Atlanta United begin their season Saturday night.
The Five Stripes, with a new coach and a retooled roster, will open the schedule against visiting CF Montreal.
For first-year coach Ronny Deila, it’s a chance for him to direct a team looking to make a good first impression.
“I understand that we were No. 9 last year,” Deila said of the team’s spot in the Eastern Conference. “The club has been struggling for some years now. So we have to be humble and understand that. … Everybody has to be hungry to get better.”
Montreal finished one spot ahead of Atlanta, with its 11 victories one more than the Five Stripes’ total. The teams faced off in the Eastern Conference wild-card round’s, and Atlanta prevailed 5-4 on penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw.
Atlanta signed Alexey Miranchuk last summer, but his production hadn’t been up to expectations. Deila said he would look for more from Miranchuk at both ends of the field, while the amount of support the Russian midfielder receives will be critical.
“He needs players around him that (are) understanding his quality,” Deila said.
The Five Stripes have midfielder Miguel Almiron back with the team for the first time since 2018.
“He’s a star, yet he doesn’t act like one,” Deila said. “He’s humble, has so much ambition to win.”
Atlanta also added midfielder Mateusz Klich and forward Emmanuel Latte Lath, with the latter’s speed catching teammates’ attention.
“We are here for helping him and he will help us also,” midfielder Saba Lobjanidze said.
Klich is confident fans will like Latte Lath.
“Atlanta fans are going to be happy,” Klich said. “I’m going to be happy, and the team is going to be happy. We don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but he will score goals.”
Montreal’s newcomers include Dante Sealy, a 21-year-old defender entering his fifth MLS season. Sealy rejoins defender Fernando Alvarez, 21, as they were together with the FC Dallas academy.
Laurent Courtois is beginning his second season as Montreal’s coach.
“We want to revisit things we think we can improve,” Courtois said. “So what are the parts we keep and what parts to be rectified? It’s going to be about finding a common ground.”
Montreal won 1-0 at home in July and 2-1 at Atlanta in October in last year’s regular-season meetings.
–Field Level Media
