Atlanta United Soccer Formation

Starting Lineup

Will Reilly · Lucas Hoyos · Elias Báez · Tomás Jacob · Enea Mihaj · Tristan Muyumba · Cooper Sanchez · Miguel Almirón · Emmanuel Latte Lath · Alexey Miranchuk · Ronald Hernández

Atlanta United plays with an intense high press within a 4-3-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and attack with rapid verticality. The team focuses on winning the ball back quickly to launch direct attacks against a retreating opponent. Sustaining pressure in the final third allows the side to keep the game in the opposition territory.

Lucas Hoyos guards the goal. The back four consists of Ronald Hernández, Enea Mihaj, Tomás Jacob, and Elias Báez. Hernández and Báez act as attacking full backs to spread wide and provide width during build up. Enea Mihaj and Tomás Jacob defend as a central pair, with Mihaj being dominant in the air while Jacob covers the space behind the high line. The defensive unit works to squeeze the space and keep the opposition pinned back through a coordinated zonal line.

The midfield functions as a three man midfield with a carrier. Cooper Sanchez sits deep to shield the defence and protect the center. Tristan Muyumba and Will Reilly work to connect the defensive and attacking lines. Muyumba can press aggressively to win the ball high, while Reilly can carry the ball forward to break the line. This trio helps the team recycle possession and move the ball into the final third to find the feet of the striker.

Atlanta United uses three attackers across the front. Alexey Miranchuk leads the line as a pressing centre forward to pin the last defender. On the wings, Emmanuel Latte Lath and Miguel Almirón act as inverted wingers who cut inside. Almirón uses his dribbling and pace to isolate defenders in one on one situations. The team looks to create runs in behind and use cutbacks from the byline to find the attackers in the box.

This formation offers the ability to press high in coordinated waves. The front three can trigger a press from the front to force a long ball from the opposition. Another advantage is the speed of transition. When the midfield wins the ball, the team can break quickly to exploit gaps in the opposition. The wide overloads from the full backs also help to stretch the defence and create space in the middle.

The 4-3-3 formation relies on intense pressing and rapid counter attacks. It is best suited for matches against teams that play a high line or struggle to play short from the back.