While the eyes of many are fixed on the FIFA 2026 World Cup™, the 5-Stripes are, almost silently, beginning preparations to get their season underway once again.
Save the World Cup participants, Atlanta United began training with a mostly full squad this week. Amid oddly rainy weather for this time of year in Georgia, the squad is first focused on getting their feet back under them.
Homegrown midfielder Jay Fortune gave some insight into the mentality of an Atlanta United side that is navigating an unprecedented pause and looking to reverse their fortunes from the beginning of the season.
"I think it could be good for the team to be able to step away and clear our mind and try and turn the second half of the season around," Fortune said Wednesday. "It's an opportunity for us to reflect and be willing to work again."
A new day dawns on the season
The 5-Stripes last played a match May 24 and won't return to play until July 16 when they encounter a rivalry road match with Nashville SC. That gap presents unique challenges and opportunities — a trial of mental fortitude but perhaps a chance to come back in top condition.
"For each individual, it's a little different," Fortune said. "Depending on who you ask, it could be a full reset, it could be a little bit. For me, I want to be able to reset physically, get the body right to where you need to be at and heal a little bit, but mentally I don't want to try and disengage too much. I still want to try and be as focused as possible on the things that went well and didn't go well at the end before the break."
The load right now, at least compared to head coach Tata Martino's normal training regimen, is on the lighter side. The players are being allowed time to get back into the swing of full football in what will feel like another preseason in some ways.
"Right now, it's early, so everybody's just building back up, ramping up the fitness," Fortune said. "It's about competing against each other, competing with your teammates, whoever's on your team. It's good vibes, everybody has good energy and seems to be in a good mind space, but at the same time, too, we're all competing with each other, because nobody wants to lose, which is what we kind of need in these training days."
That point from Fortune is the crux of what perhaps feels like a new campaign. The first 14 matches of the season didn't yield as many positive results as Atlanta United would've hoped for. Now is the chance to wipe that clean, and the way they can do that begins with pushing each other.
The signs of improvement showed in flashes. The 3-match win streak in late April and early May showcased a 5-Stripes side that was dialing into Martino's vision. Fast, possession-heavy football that was opportunistic when taking chances.
"Towards the end, the style of play was a little bit better," Fortune said, "but at the end of the day, the game is about results. Getting the results that we do deserve in some games, seeing games out scoring early, and dominating games from beginning to end, and staying focused for the full 90 minutes is key."
Keeping tabs on 5-Stripes at the World Cup
All the while as Atlanta United things gets started back up again, Miguel Almirón and Matías Galarza are in the heat of battle with Paraguay. La Albirroja fell to the USA in their first group stage match, but they've still got two remaining to earn enough points to qualify for the knockout rounds. They'll face Türkiye tomorrow night, June 19 at 11 p.m. ET at Bay Area Stadium and Australia June 25.
Fortune and the rest of the 5-Stripes in Atlanta are watching on and supporting their teammates.
"[We] always wish them well," Fortune said. "I want them to go as far as possible. Miggy and Matías, they're two people who really care for their country and want to fight for their country. [We] want them to do the best that they can do and see how far they make it."
The scenes across the U.S. have been a sight to behold so far. Packed out stadiums, huge upsets, top stars banging in the goals — the 2026 edition of the world's tournament has been a real treat. The 5-Stripes feel it just like the fans do.
"It's great to see the game grow on this side of the world," Fortune said. "... To see everybody give it the attention that it deserves in this special moment is great to see. People getting together to be able to celebrate and to get in one area with a bunch of people you don't know, make new friends, that's what the game is really about."
