What to make of Atlanta United
Atlanta United are one of the non-Seattle clubs that I follow most closely.
Part of the reason for that is the myriad of connections between the two clubs. Between the coaching staff, roster, and front office staff, Atlanta have employed many faces that plied their trade in Seattle, including Gonzalo Pineda, Ozzie Alonso, and the front-office duo of Garth Lagerwey and Chris Henderson.
They're also one of the biggest-spending clubs in MLS, backed by Arthur Blank money. That's led to them splashing some of the league's biggest-ever transfer fees, including this offseason when they broke an MLS record by spending $22 million on Ivorian striker Emmanuel Latte Lath. Throw in the 10-plus million they spent to bring back Miguel Almiron, and they entered the 2025 season with sky-high expectations (which I famously bought into).
Fast-forward to this weekend's Matchday 26 matchup when they host Seattle at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and they're toiling at 13th place in the Eastern Conference, with just four wins and a -16 goal differential.
That's not to say a result is guaranteed. Latte Lath is one of the paciest players in the league and presents a challenge to any back line purely based on that. For all Almiron's struggles this year, he's still the type of talent that can hurt you in any given moment.
I tend to think 2025's struggles are largely collateral damage from the Carlos Bocanegra era, which left the roster in what's turned out to be a very big hole. But even with that taken into account, the extent to which the spending and resources haven't matched the results this season is not what I expected. It's been another cautionary tale in spending not necessarily guaranteeing success, in the vein of Toronto FC in recent seasons.
It feels like at some point all their investment has to pay off, but as it pertains to this weekend's match, it does present an opportunity for Seattle as they look to continue their ascent up the Western Conference table. Pick off a win at the Benz, and they could solidify their hold on a top-four spot depending on other results.
Use our affiliate links to support your bloggers when buying merch and tickets.
Enjoying this content?
Sign up to get it delivered to your inbox everyday.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Here's what you missed on the site this week.
Sounders
Next match: Saturday, July 26 at Atlanta United | 4:30 pm PT | MLS Season Pass
- Rock the Casbah: Sounders turn in a Heritage classic
- Jordan Morris separates AC joint, will require surgery
- Postgame Pontifications: Pros and cons of Tubthumping
- Lobbing Scorchers Kickoff: Can Sounders stay hot at Atlanta United?
- Sounders vs. Earthquakes: Highlights, stats, quotes
This newsletter was made possible through the support of Full Pull Wines, a boutique wines reseller that has been sponsoring us since 2011.
Reign
Next match: Friday, August 1 vs. Angel City FC | 7:30 pm PT | Prime Video
Defiance
Next match: Sunday, July 27 vs. Portland Timbers 2 | 7 pm PT | MLS Season Pass
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
Brazil legend Marta saddened by conditions at Copa América (ESPN)
How Wales and Poland can turn this year’s Euros debut into a reoccurring affair (The Athletic)
State of MLS Analytics: July 2025 (American Soccer Analysis)
Power Rankings: Where every team stands at the All-Star break (MLSSoccer)
England to stop taking the knee as Jess Carter subjected to ‘vile’ racist abuse during Euro 2025 (The Athletic)
In a summer full of women’s soccer, the Africa Cup of Nations has intrigue (AP News)
Matt Doyle: What every Western Conference team needs this summer (MLSSoccer)
Danny Musovski, Pedro de la Vega named to MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 26 (Sounders FC)