Atlanta United stunned the soccer world over the weekend with their dramatic victory over the best team in MLS history, but how did they get here?
President and CEO of Atlanta United, Garth Lagerwey, joined The Steakhouse after the team's massive win over Leo Messi and Inter Miami. He discussed the current mental state of the team and why things seemed to have changed so dramatically in the final months of the season.
The 5 Stripes entered the season with expectations of being a top-four team in a crowded Eastern Conference, but quickly found itself near the bottom instead. They endured a brutal nine-game winless streak in May before eventually firing then-manager Gonzalo Pineda and selling off a large portion of the roster's core.
"We were not going to win anything with that group," Lagarwey said about the team in Atlanta prior to the summer transfer window. "With the personalities in that locker room and the mentality that we had, we were not going to win any titles. And we knew it. So, we wanted to maximize the resources we could take out of that group and move on from some players.
"Now we're taking advantage of it with a group that believes in itself and is much better put together."
Lagerwey continued: "We had some folks that were not committed to being in Atlanta long-term. It's as simple as that. They were looking for their next move, and there's nothing wrong with that, that's a part of pro sports, there's no emotion behind that. But they didn't want to be here long term and so we needed to guys here who are committed."
After the fire sale during the summer transfer window which included the departure of Thiago Almada, Giorgos Giakoumakis, and Caleb Wiley for upwards of $50 million, there was a thought the 5 Stripes would bottom out in the second half of the season.
Instead, the team rode an unbeaten streak in seven of their final nine games (5W-2L-3D), including three road wins in a row to finish the season, en route to a playoff berth. After winning a three-game series against the best team in MLS history, Atlanta United has found its way to the tournament's knockout rounds.
This incredible run has been spurred, in large part, by the new additions who joined the roster over the summer.
"Pedro Amador has been awesome at left-back, has an assist in every playoff game so far and [eight] assists overall," Lagerwey said about the addition Atlanta made. "And Alexey Miranchuk, who has been in the top five in the league in all the chance creation metrics since we signed him. Those two guys have made a huge difference in the team, not just in how we play, but in how committed we are."
Under interim manager Rob Valentino, the team has really settled in and played its best soccer of the season. Before this run, this team was scuffling and on the outside of the playoffs looking in. Instead, Atlanta United is now just three wins away from hoisting an MLS Cup.
Hear the full interview in the link above.