With the 2026 MLS season underway, Atlanta United hopes a reunited partnership between coach Tata Martino and star midfielder Miguel Almirón can reverse the team’s recent fortunes. After a dismal 2025 campaign that saw Atlanta finish near the bottom of the standings, Martino’s return as head coach brings renewed hope that he can unlock the best from Miguel Almirón and lead the club to brighter days.
Almirón, at 32 years old, is no longer the breakout star from earlier in his Atlanta tenure, but his skill still holds value. Under Martino’s guidance, the club plans to make him a central figure in their offensive strategy once again.
Reflecting on a Challenging 2025 Season
The 2025 season was one of frustration for Atlanta United. Once seen as preseason contenders, the Five Stripes struggled throughout the year, culminating in near bottom-place status. The team failed to find rhythm or consistency, leading to the dismissal of head coach Ronny Deila after just one season in charge.
Amid these difficulties, Miguel Almirón’s performance was a mixed bag; he ended the year with six goals and seven assists over 31 matches but was not the dynamic force fans had come to expect. As Martino returns, there is a shared belief that Almirón can recapture a degree of his former influence, though it is clear the player, now in his early thirties, is evolving.
Nurturing Almirón’s Role as a Team Leader
Martino has expressed a clear intent to help Almirón approach his best possible form again while managing the player’s responsibilities both on and off the field. Speaking at his introductory press conference, Martino said,
“We have the intention to try to keep finding his best version.”
He also emphasized the importance of Almirón’s dual commitments:
“This year, he has not only an important commitment to Atlanta but also a very important commitment to the Paraguayan national team, something that he’s been searching for for a long time, which is to play in a World Cup.”
Martino sees Almirón as more than just a skilled player; he envisions him as a soccer leader who can guide the team’s performances.
“We feel that he can be the leader of the team from a soccer perspective. What we want is to somehow surround him in a way that will take some of the responsibilities off the field away from him, and that he be the leader on the field.”
The Deep Bond Between Almirón and Martino
The highest point of Miguel Almirón’s career came during his first spell with Atlanta United under Martino. At that time, he was a tireless presence, recovering balls and driving attacks, accumulating 49 goal contributions (21 goals and 28 assists) over two seasons. This period included an MLS Cup victory in just Atlanta’s second year of existence and a subsequent transfer to Newcastle United in the English Premier League.
Such achievements were intertwined with Martino’s influence. Almirón has repeatedly highlighted the trust Martino placed in him, recalling in a 2017 Players’ Tribune interview the Paraguayan saying, “Quiero contar contigo,” which roughly translates as
“I want to rely on you.”
Almirón described it as a “vote of confidence” and shared that when Martino moved to the United States for a new project, he wanted Almirón to come with him. These words underscored a unique connection that has helped both man and team.
Returning to a Team Needing Restoration
Now, Martino and Almirón face a very different challenge. Instead of building an exciting new project from scratch, they have returned to a team requiring significant repair. Atlanta United’s previous structure and spirit are still present in some form, but much needs rebuilding to restore competitiveness and fan enthusiasm.
Neither Martino nor Almirón has publicly dissected the failures of recent seasons, but their return to Atlanta, a city once unfamiliar to them, suggests a desire to rebuild both relationships and the team’s identity.
The fan response to Almirón’s return was immediate and heartfelt. Scores of supporters gathered at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to welcome him back, highlighting the enduring bond between player and community. Similarly, when Martino departed in 2018, fans commemorated him with a tifo portraying him as a hero, wearing his signature jacket tied around his neck—a symbol reflecting his personal style and leadership.
Almirón has openly expressed the significance of Martino’s return, calling him “like a father” and emphasizing Martino’s character as much as his coaching abilities.
“Beyond being a great coach, he’s a great person, not just with me but with all my teammates.”
“Miggy left but his heart always remained in Atlanta.” Atlanta United FC
Martino’s Demands and New Tactical Approach
To restore Atlanta United’s status as an MLS contender, Martino is introducing a more intense and demanding style. His approach emphasizes high pressing, which places additional pressure on defenders, but aims to create faster offensive opportunities.
Center back Juan Berrocal recently commented on these changes:
“MLS is very difficult for the defenders, but Tata, he wants to press high. It’s more difficult for the defenders, but for the team it is better, I think, because if you get the ball in the opposite field, it’s more easy to attack, to score goals, you know? So I think it’s better for the team.”
This renewed emphasis on teamwork and fitness reportedly has lifted the intensity at training sessions and fostered a stronger collective mindset, contrasting with the less engaged atmosphere under the previous coach.
For the first time since 2018…MIGUEL ALMIRÓN SCORES IN ATLANTA Atlanta United FC
A Gradual Rebuild Towards Ambitious Goals
Despite the optimism surrounding Martino’s return, the transformation of Atlanta United’s roster and results will likely take time. Martino has cautioned that meaningful changes might require at least a full year to appear on the field.
Nonetheless, fans are eager to see the club recapture the energy and potential they glimpsed in the 2017 inaugural season—a team building toward future success, with a style that excites and engages supporters. The 2026 campaign officially kicks off with a visit to FC Cincinnati, signaling the start of this new chapter.
Almirón remains committed to the club’s revival, emphasizing the need for mentality and commitment:
“Tata’s told us that we have a good team with good players, but we have to be more ambitious and have the right attitude because even with the group of players that we have, if we don’t have ambition and attitude to achieve something, to work hard for the club and this shirt, it’s going to be impossible.”
He added,
“I see the group doing well, with a lot of motivation to turn around how things went last season.”
🗣️ "Miggy left but his heart always remained in Atlanta."
Estás en casa, @Miguel__Almiron ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/dMdpxhkqlb
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) January 31, 2025
For the first time since 2018…
MIGUEL ALMIRÓN SCORES IN ATLANTA 🤩 pic.twitter.com/gYRVKYzE0t
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) March 30, 2025
