Atlanta United Soccer Formation

Starting Lineup

Tómas Jacob · Lucas Hoyos · Elias Báez · Júnior Alonso · Paulo Díaz · Giuliano Galoppo · Tristan Muyumba · Miguel Almirón · Alexey Miranchuk · Breel Embolo · Mauricio Amaro

Atlanta United favors a high press to win the ball back high up the pitch, operating primarily in a 4-3-3 formation. The team aims to play a vertical game, looking to break lines quickly once possession is regained. This lineup is designed to squeeze the space in the opponent half and use speed to catch the opposition defense out of position.

Lucas Hoyos plays behind a flat back four that keeps a high line to compress the midfield. Paulo Díaz and Júnior Alonso act as the central defenders, where Díaz uses his strength to win the second ball and Alonso serves as a ball playing defender to play short from the back. Tómas Jacob and Elias Báez act as full backs, providing width when the team moves forward. This defensive unit works to keep the team compact and set the offside trap to nullify long balls.

The midfield functions as a three man midfield with a carrier. Mauricio Amaro sits in the center to shield the defense and recycle possession, while Tristan Muyumba and Giuliano Galoppo operate in the half spaces. Galoppo is tasked to press aggressively to win the ball high, while Muyumba looks to carry the ball forward to connect the defensive and attacking lines. This trio works to ensure the team can transition from a mid block into a direct attack without losing control of the center of the pitch.

Atlanta United utilizes three attackers across the front with a pressing centre-forward in Breel Embolo. Embolo works to pin the last defender and hold up the ball for others. Miguel Almirón acts as an inverted winger who cuts inside to create chances, while Alexey Miranchuk occupies the right side to deliver early crosses or find the feet of the striker. These attackers press the opposition back line in pairs to force a long ball and create chances through runs in behind.

The formation offers several tactical advantages, such as the ability to press high in coordinated waves. By using wide players like Miguel Almirón and Alexey Miranchuk, the team creates wide overloads when the full backs push up. This setup also allows for great speed of transition, making it very difficult for opponents to recover once the midfield wins the ball back in the final third.

This 4-3-3 formation is built for a high intensity, aggressive style of play. It is best suited for matches against teams that struggle to play out from the back under pressure.