Atlanta United Announces Year-End Roster Moves Ahead of 2025 MLS Season

Atlanta United has announced its roster decisions as the club prepares for the 2025 MLS season. With 18 players already under contract for next year, the team exercised contract options on four additional players and remains in discussions with three others regarding potential returns.

Contract Decisions

The club has exercised the contract options for goalkeeper Brad Guzan, defender Efrain Morales, and midfielders Jay Fortune and Santiago Sosa.

Six players, however, had their contract options declined: Erik Centeno, Nick Firmino, Ronald Hernández, Franco Ibarra, Jamal Thiaré, and Tyler Wolff. While the team is negotiating potential returns for Hernández, Thiaré, and Wolff, all six players are eligible for the MLS Re-Entry Draft, except for Wolff, who will enter waivers.

Additionally, the loan for forward Daniel Ríos will expire at the end of the calendar year.

Retirements Announced

Atlanta United will bid farewell to two players who are retiring:

• Dax McCarty: The midfielder concludes a storied 19-year MLS career, which included a successful stint as a team leader across the league.

• Quentin Westberg: The goalkeeper wraps up six seasons in MLS, including valuable contributions to Atlanta United’s squad.

Rob Valentino’s Future

Atlanta United President and CEO Garth Lagerwey addressed the future of interim head coach Rob Valentino, who led the team during a crucial stretch in the 2024 season. Lagerwey confirmed that Valentino will not be considered as a final candidate for the permanent head coaching role but praised his efforts.

“I can’t thank him enough for what he did with our group, for how he was able to maximize our team and to go on a playoff run and beat Miami,” Lagerwey said. “He’s going to be part of Atlanta history and lore for the foreseeable future. I’m proud of him and thankful that I got a chance to work with him.”

MLS Offseason Timeline

The MLS offseason will officially begin on Monday, Dec. 9, with the half-day trade window opening at 9:00 a.m. The MLS Expansion Draft, featuring new entrant San Diego FC, will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 11.

Key dates for the MLS offseason include:

• Free Agency and End-of-Year Waivers: Open on Dec. 12

• Re-Entry Process, Stage 1: Begins on Dec. 13

As Atlanta United looks ahead to the 2025 season, these roster decisions mark the first steps in building a competitive squad and shaping the club’s future direction.