In the heart of the international break, head coach Ronny Deila and his Atlanta United side will have to get creative. Eight First Team players are out representing their nations, plenty of whom are regular starters at this point in the season. Depth players and perhaps even some players from Atlanta United 2 will get their chance to impress on the First Team stage when the 5-Stripes face Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Saturday night.
Thursday’s training was a combined session with the First Team and the 2s, giving Deila and his staff a good look at some of the candidates for Short-Term Agreements.
Stian Gregersen establishing consistency
The Norwegian center back filled in for Tristan Muyumba, who stayed for extra reps at the end of training, during today’s media availability. Trying to conceal a grin, Gregersen came up to the mic and said "Je M'appelle Tristan Muyumba”, French for "My name is Tristan."
If there was a moment that showcased how much confidence Gregersen has right about now, it was that one. He’s been very candid about how frustrating a season full of injuries, with one lengthy absence that lasted over three months, has been for him. Now, his silly nature is poking out again as he solidifies his health.
"You have to learn from that," Gregersen said. "When you are injured, you can work on other things also. You have to stay positive. Now, I'm fully healthy and hopefully it can be better in the future."
It isn’t just luck that has allowed Gregersen to string together the most consecutive starts of his Atlanta United career. He’s spent hours upon hours, days upon days refining his exercise routines with team trainers. He said he’s worked with staff to get more personalized fitness plans. An increase in core workouts is part of his new personal regimen, particularly important for a man with a tall frame at 6-foot-5.
As one of few regular starters available Saturday, Gregersen will play a huge role in the 5-Stripes’ success Saturday night. Obviously, that starts in defense, where he’s shown he can be lockdown. His performance against LAFC was something to build on — unafraid to engage in one-on-one duels with talented attackers. His combination of size and speed make him very effective closing down dribblers and stuffing shots before they even have a chance to get through.
The center back isn't just vying for his spot in the Atlanta United side. He's trying to prove he's worthy of a roster spot should Norway qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
"I sent a message to the [Norway] national team coach to say Stian is now starting to be the guy he should be," Deila said. "But as I said, it's about consistency. Everything is about consistency ... we don't need the fireflies, we need stars."
Though Gregersen expressed regret that he’s only now getting fully healthy as the season winds down, the offseason is another opportunity for him to get his body right.
"I feel good, but it could be better, because I was a long time away during the in the middle of the season," Gregersen said. "But it becomes better and better. I have to be more fit so I can show my best of myself, but I think I started to do that now."
Much still up in the air for both sides Saturday
Inter Miami will also have a considerable group of players out during the international window, though one key star may still be available to play. Lionel Messi’s Argentina side will face Venezuela in a friendly match in Miami. If Messi doesn’t end up playing with his national team, there’s a chance the star will suit up for Inter Miami against the 5-Stripes.
Deila said prepping for a team without real knowledge of who is available to scout against is a challenge but something his team will be up for. As for what kind of look the 5-Stripes will trot out, the five-at-the-back formation from the LAFC match last weekend is likely to return. The defensive performance in that match was commendable despite conceding late. LAFC had scored at least three goals in each of their last four matches coming into the fixture, yet they looked incapable of breaking through Atlanta United’s tight low block for almost the entire 90 minutes. Repeating that level of discipline not just on Saturday but as the norm is something Deila spent a long time talking about after training Thursday.
“I think it's about distances. You know, when you have short distances between you, you have always help, and it's short little, little space to play in," Deila said. "We were very disciplined. One thing is to be disciplined, established, but also the reactions in him when you lose the ball, when you win the ball, that is things that you have to coach about, understanding about next situation, next situation. So it's a mindset."
Gregersen and Juan Berrocal will aide those efforts Saturday. Turning to the other end of the pitch, the 5-Stripes will no doubt have some rotation from recent lineups. With both out on international duty, Saturday will be the first time that Atlanta United has played without at least one of Alexey Miranchuk and Miguel Almirón in the lineup this season. Jamal Thiaré will likely get another chance to start up front, and Deila also said Emmanuel Latte Lath will be an option again. The Ivorian forward has yet to start a match since his hamstring injury, though he’s made substitute appearances.
Cayman Togashi could be another candidate to start. In his limited opportunities with the First Team this season, he’s taken his chances. He scored in Atlanta United’s Leagues Cup win over Atlas FC in a 34-minute substitute appearance.
We’ll see tomorrow with the club availability report who will be match day eligible, likely including some Short-Term Agreements. Whoever travels, they’ll have a unique opportunity to prove themselves in a fixture that has been a fierce one in recent years. Deila rather focus on the good aspects of players being out for international break — proof that the squad's players have what it takes to play high level football.
"We have to take the positive things, when these players are improving," Deila said. "I love to see Bartosz [Slisz] is a very important player now for Poland, and he plays every time, that shows a lot of improvement. I love to see Luke [Brennan] doing well in the under-20s."
