8 Atlanta United Players Get Called For International Duty
Atlanta Faces Its First Depth Test of The Season.
As the 2025 MLS season rolls into its first major international break, Atlanta United takes center stage with an impressive eight players earning national team call-ups. This achievement not only showcases the individual talent within the squad but also reinforces the club's growing influence on the global soccer scene. No other MLS team has more players heading off for international duty, with Atlanta’s representatives set to compete in World Cup qualifiers, Nations League clashes, and international friendlies.
The Eight Stars Heading Abroad
According to the latest news from MLSSoccer.com, over 80 MLS players have earned international call-ups this window. Here are your lucky Atlanta United players:
Luis Abram - Defender - Peru
Miguel Almirón - Midfielder - Paraguay
Luke Brennan - Forward - USA U-20
Noah Cobb - Defender - USA U-20
Ajani Fortune - Midfielder - Trinidad & Tobago
Stian Gregersen - Defender - Norway
Efraín Morales - Defender - Bolivia
Bartosz Slisz - Midfielder - Poland
Impact on Atlanta United
While the international call-ups are a badge of honor for Atlanta United, they also present a significant challenge. With eight players away on duty, the team will be tested for depth in midfield and the defense, particularly in their upcoming MLS clash against FC Cincinnati on Saturday. The biggest concern is at center-back, where Atlanta finds itself severely short-handed. Luis Abram, Stian Gregersen, and Efraín Morales will all be unavailable, leaving Derrick Williams as the only first-team center-back at Ronny Deila’s disposal.
Deila will need to get creative with his defensive lineup, and one potential solution is Matt Edwards. The young defender has the stature and composure to step in, at least for a game, and this could be a great opportunity for him to prove himself as a utility defender. Alternatively, Deila could call up Ronan Wynne, the versatile University of Denver defender and 53rd pick of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, from ATL UTD 2 or use Ronald Hernandez centrally if he is available.
The midfield will also take a hit with Bartosz Slisz and Ajani Fortune off representing their countries, forcing Atlanta to lean more heavily on the likes of Tristan Muyumba and Mateusz Klich (if available). Up front and along the wings, Miguel Almiron will be the lone starting attacker absent from this weekend’s game. Expect Xande Silva to take his place with Mosquera being stretchered off at the end of the Inter Miami match. But can Silva replace the creativity and experience of Almiron? These are questions that will need to be answered leading up to Saturday’s matchup with FC Cincinnati.
Potential Lineup vs FC Cincinnati
GK - Brad Guzan
RB - Brooks Lennon
CB - Derrick Williams
CB - Matt Edwards/Ronan Wynne
LB - Pedro Amador
CDM - Mateusz Klich
CDM - Tristan Muyumba
CAM - Alexey Miranchuk
LAM - Xande Silva
RAM - Saba Lobjanidze
ST - Emmanuel Latte Lath
Upcoming International Games w/ Atlanta United Players
Paraguay vs Chile, March 20th
Peru vs Bolivia, March 20th
Cuba vs Trinidad & Tobago, March 21st
Poland vs Lithuania, March 21st
Moldova vs Norway, March 22nd
Poland vs Malta, March 24th
Colombia vs Paraguay, March 25th
Israel vs Norway, March 25th
Trinidad & Tobago vs Cuba, March 25th
Uruguay vs Bolivia, March 25th
Venezuela vs Perú, March 25th