$32 Million Later, Why Atlanta United Could Foil Messi Again

In an historic winter spending spree, Atlanta United has paid a reported $32 million in combined transfer fees to secure striker Emmanuel Latte Lath on an MLS-record deal and bring back Five Stripe original Miguel Almiron after six years at Newcastle United.

Those splashes both come under new sporting director Chris Henderson, who departed Inter Miami at the end of last season to join Atlanta team president Garth Lagerwey, whom he previously worked under at the Seattle Sounders. And Atlanta’s players new and old will be managed by incoming boss Ronny Deila, who has championship pedigree both from his previous time in MLS with New York City FC and his European endeavors.

It’s one of the most dynamic offseasons in MLS history, without a doubt. And while history is littered of tales of dynamic offseasons that never translated on the field, there’s plenty of reason to believe the Five Stripes just might be the most likely challenger to Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in the Eastern Conference this season.

Here’s three reasons why the Five Stripes could be the biggest obstacle in the Herons’ bid to reach their first MLS Cup final.

Verticality

Miami was exceptionally consistent over the 2024 MLS regular season, winning the Supporters’ Shield and setting a new league points record.

But on the few occasions they did struggle, it was against opponents who excelled at turning their defense into offense. That’s not particularly surprising given a lack of pace that comes with fielding one of the league’s oldest rosters, but it’s worth considering in assessing Atlanta’s off-season moves.

In losses to Cincinnati and the Red Bulls – albeit with Messi absent — it was a team that played a high line of contention that flummoxed the Herons. Against Atlanta, it was a deeper block, but still the same danger in transition.

Whether Atlanta still plays as deep under incoming manager Ronny Deila, both Almiron and Latte Lath are the kinds of players who thrive when the game is stretched.

Almiron became a fan-favorite at Newcastle because of a legendary work-rate, even though the end-product at the Premier League level was inconsistent. Latte Lath comes from Middlesbrough not only boasting world-class speed, but a record as one of the game’s most active defensive strikers.

Familiarity

So much of the challenge of playing Messi and Miami is psychological.

Unlike any team that has ever played in MLS before, the Herons under Messi were able to ruthlessly punish mistakes even in games where the opponents were superior for the majority. And according to StatsBomb, Miami exceeded its expected goals by more than 25 last season, meaning as a group they were consistently ruthless finishers.

But by virtue of being able to face Miami three times in their Round One playoff series, the bulk of Atlanta’s roster has more familiarity than anyone else in MLS in terms of the kind of mental focus it takes to limit Messi and company. Meanwhile, Almiron is plenty familiar with Messi and Miami teammate Luis Suarez’s exploits from his time as a CONMEBOL opponent with the Paraguay national team.

That kind of familiarity and demonstrated previous success is a crucial psychological edge that other East foes simply don’t have. It doesn’t guarantee more success. But it makes the possibility believable.

Uncertainty

Atlanta isn’t the only team to make big offseason moves. The $22 million fee paid for Latte Lath breaks a league record only set earlier this season with FC Cincinnati’s $16.2 million swoop for striker Kevin Denkey.

But the two most obvious challengers to Miami last season both face uncertainty coming into the new year after the exit of MVP-caliber contributors. Cucho Hernandez’s winter move to Real Betis is official, leaving a giant hole in the Columbus Crew’s front line. Cincy’s Luciano Acosta is thought to be nearing a move back to his native Argentina.

Both Ohio clubs have shown the ability to move on from stars and reload their rosters quickly. But to expect either to be immediately back at the levels they enjoyed with Hernandez and Acosta, respectively, is unrealistic. And it may be Atlanta who is best positioned to take advantage of any hiccups either club have.