Atlanta United Soccer Formation

Starting Lineup

Josh Cohen · Stian Gregersen (Norway) · Luis Abram (Peru) · Brooks Lennon · Noah Cobb · Bartosz Slisz (Poland) · Ajani Fortune (Trinidad and Tobago) · Aleksey Miranchuk (Russia) · Saba Lobjanidze (Georgia) · Miguel Almiron (Paraguay) · Emmanuel Latte Lath (Ivory Coast)

Atlanta United prioritizes a defensive identity that focuses on quick transitions. The team operates in a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to play vertical football by sitting deep and waiting for the right moment to strike on the break.

Josh Cohen is the goalkeeper tasked with protecting the net. The back line functions as a back five to maintain a narrow defensive block. Bartosz Slisz plays as the central defender to win the header and clear the lines. Luis Abram and Stian Gregersen act as wide centre-backs to cover the space and sweep behind a high line when necessary. Brooks Lennon and Noah Cobb play as attacking wing backs to provide width. They will push high to overlap the wingers but must also track back to protect the flanks.

The midfield is a double pivot. Ajani Fortune and Aleksey Miranchuk operate in the central area. Ajani Fortune works to drive forward with the ball and carry it into the final third. Aleksey Miranchuk acts to connect the defensive and attacking lines by receiving the ball from the back. This duo must press in a mid-block and be ready to win the second ball to keep play moving. They also need to pick up runners coming from deep to avoid being bypassed.

The attack uses three players across the front. Emmanuel Latte Lath acts as a lone striker to hold up the ball and find the feet of the striker. Saba Lobjanidze and Miguel Almiron play as wide wingers who cut inside to challenge the defense. Miguel Almiron uses his pace, pressing intensity, and dribbling style to break the line. The team looks to create combinations in tight spaces or use the width to deliver early balls. The wingers move to isolate a one-on-one wide to exploit the flanks.

One major advantage is the ability to maintain compactness when defending. The formation also allows for wide overloads when Brooks Lennon and Noah Cobb push up. This creates numerical superiority in the wide areas for Atlanta United. The speed of transition is also a key strength as the team can break quickly.

This 5-2-3 formation is a reactive lineup built for counter attacking. It is best suited for matches against teams that control possession and play with a high line.