(GUEST POST from friend of the SDH Network Nyle Farooqui)
Atlanta United has faced a challenging few years, frustrating many of its fans. After winning the MLS Cup in just their second season as an expansion team, the club has seen several coaching changes, including the dismissal of Gonzalo Pineda last season and the hiring of new head coach Ronny Deila in the offseason. Additionally, there has been consistent player turnover with departures of fan favorites Julian Gressel, Darlington Nagbe, and Josef Martinez. Atlanta sold players Giorgos Giakoumakis, Thiago Almada, and Caleb Wiley during the 2024 MLS Summer transfer window. Despite the numerous coaching and player changes that have been prevalent for the past couple of years, the return of Miguel Almirón has brought a newfound wave of optimism as a hundred supporters welcomed the Paraguyan star at Hartsfield-Jackson airport Thursday night. While some high-profile player returns, like Cristiano Ronaldo’s second stint with Manchester United, ended up dividing the locker-room, Almirón’s return to Atlanta United offers a more promising scenario. His previous success and fan-favorite status make him an ideal fit to reinvigorate the team.
There is no denying that Atlanta United is in a win now situation as the club has not added any trophies to their cabinet since 2019. When clubs such as Atlanta United are in the win-now mode, they want to sign players that they know can make an impact. Miguel Almirón is a player that can help Atlanta United become a dominant force in MLS once again. Miguel’s impact in MLS is undeniable. After signing as a Designated Player in 2017, he quickly earned Newcomer of the Year honors with 9 goals and 14 assists. His success reached another level in 2018, with a career-high 12 goals and 14 assists during the regular season. Almirón played a pivotal role in United’s 2018 MLS Cup victory before securing a move to the Premier League’s Newcastle United.
His MLS success serves as a strong foundation for why Atlanta has brought him back. Success in Major League Soccer is not something that is granted as there are talented players that come to Major League Soccer but ultimately struggle to adapt to the demands of what has become an increasingly competitive league in world football. Miguel is a proven player in MLS. Almirón’s return also highlights a shift in Atlanta United’s broader transfer strategy. The club is no longer solely focused on scouting young South American talents to develop and sell for record-breaking profit. Under the leadership of President Garth Lagerwey and Sporting Director Chris Henderson, the focus has turned to signing prime-aged players with proven success across multiple leagues, like Almirón.
Miggy is not the same player that was an $8M transfer signing for Atlanta United as a twenty-two year old. However, he still possesses many qualities that can benefit Atlanta’s current squad. President Garth Lagerway has spoken extensively about wanting to add speed to this team. While Almirón may not have the same blistering pace he once had, he still possesses the speed to exploit space and disrupt defenders. Determining pace as the only defining quality that Miggy possesses is too simplistic. Miggy’s greatest strength lies in his ability to make others around him better. One of the best examples of a player that Miguel was able to help bring success to was Josef Martinez. Almirón and Martinez established themselves as one of the most lethal duos in MLS history and combined to score several important goals for Atlanta United. Today, Miguel Almirón’s skill of making others better could be valuable to players such as Russian playmaker Alexey Miranchuk. Almirón’s intelligent movement and vision on the field will help keep opposing defenses on edge and open up spaces for players such as Miranchuk.
Almirón’s influence extends beyond the pitch. There is a reason why Miguel is so beloved by everyone at Atlanta United. This is because of who he is as a person. New head coach Ronny Deila’s comments on his new signing perfectly encapsulates Miguel’s personality: “He’s a star, yet he doesn't act like one. He’s humble”. Known for his humility and work ethic, he was instrumental in creating the winning culture that encompassed Atlanta United’s early years. His presence in the locker room can help re-establish a strong, cohesive team dynamic and instill the same drive and determination that made Atlanta a championship contender.
The Paraguyan international’s return to MLS also boosts the league’s profile, showing that Major League Soccer is an increasingly attractive destination for European talent. He joins a growing list of former European talents, including Riqui Puig of LA Galaxy and Cucho Hernández of Columbus Crew, proving that MLS is no longer just a stepping stone but a serious destination for top-tier players.
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