A Letter From Fans to Atlanta United
Disclaimer: This open letter from fans does not reflect any views from writers at the Southeast Soccer Report. Any opinions, if expressed, would be published in separate opinion pieces by an individual writer.
The Question: If you were in the same room and could say anything to the Atlanta United front office, what would you tell them? Any negatives, positives, or questions?
The Answers:
We're mad and disappointed. Rightfully so. The club has underperformed in almost every way for years and consistently has failed to right the ship. We've been a shadow of our former selves ever since 2019. We've been bad longer than we've been good. It has got to change. Everyone in the league knows that if Atlanta is doing well, the entire league prospers. We need to get back to that - and quick. For not only the sake of our fans, but for the state of soccer in the USA. It is unacceptable, for so many reasons, to have such a poor team in the epicenter of soccer in this country.
All of this is said to remind the club that what has congealed at the top of the fanbase, over the past half decade, is not representative of what lives below the cynical crust. The fans know this, the league knows this, the world got a glimpse of it, but it’s time to fully show it for the World Cup. There is a truly unique and immense fervor, support, and raw power that lies dormant here. It is a damn shame it has been driven underground for this long. If this team gets truly competitive once more, if the Kings of the South truly do return, then come 2026 and the World Cup, the entire world will be in awe of what soccer means to this city. DO NOT LET THIS ONE CHANCE GO. Vamos ATL!
I don’t have much burning criticism, I think they know their position and that they have to address it.
I’d look for a little more insight on their vision with younger players.
I'd start with the Academy and 2's. There is too much hesitancy to move talented players up. The 2's brought in a bunch of outside mid 20 year olds instead of playing Academy and college players the amount they should be. We have seen the system produce multiple good players, so why do we not play and start out top prospects over people who will never make it to MLS?
Next, I'd ask about Deila continuing to play people out of position… Edwards at CB and LB, Brennan at LW instead of RW, Morales on the right instead of left, etc.
Why has Noah Cobb been sent to the bottom of the depth chart, while we see other CBs get chance after chance and playing bad? Why did it take so long to identify that Fortune and Reilly could play and contribute?
And last, I'd ask if they think switching to buying players from Europe instead of South America has worked out and why we don't take advantage of things like U22 and pushing the roster rules in general like we used to?
Just seems like the narrative the last few years is that players (academy kids the exception) don't have any dawg in them. I know we need talent, but how much are they looking at attitude?
Only thing we would say is don’t for a second think about raising ticket prices. If anything, lower them. Come out and be direct with fans. Level with everyone and just say it’s been a disaster and the focus is on the future. That’s it
This! Raising prices for the last few years to pay for a terrible product with little to no results is asinine. If it’s to keep concession prices cheap, at least say that rather than nothing.
Note: These responses were provided directly after Atlanta United’s 2-3 loss to Charlotte FC, before the club raised season ticket prices for the 2026 season.
The front office needs to make pretty drastic moves and rebuild this team from the ground up. Keep some core players like Fortune, Thiare, and the Homegrowns, and build the team around them. We need major changes to get back to former glory.
The on-the-field results continue to dramatically underperform the investment from the club as well as the fans. The in-venue fans are a fraction of what they once were. The results are a disaster. Who is accountable for this? The coach? The GM? The president?
- Don’t bring any player without selling at least half of our roster.
- Sack this coach now and don’t hire anyone until the end of the season.
- Hire a sports therapist to study this roster dynamics and detect the rotten apples.
- Don’t use ATLUTD as a player’s salvation plan.
My question is, if Columbus and LAFC missed the playoffs, fired their coach, and the next season they became MLS champions…then what is wrong with us? Sixth season of irrelevance. Also, why is Jonathan Spector still employed if the players he has brought in haven’t worked out?
I've been saying this for years, the players aren't emotionally invested in this club or the city. Most are here for a payday or just as a stepping stone to a better situation. If you are emotionally invested in the club, you will fight for the club and the badge. The running theme for years has been "there's no fight" from the players; even after roster turnover and a revolving door of coaches, the issues are still there. You rarely see the players out in the city unlike the players in the past. I guess they are too embarrassed to show their faces. As soon as the final whistle of the season is blown, they are on the first plane out of here.
We had Josef, Parky, Jeff, Greg, Tito, Franco, and others who would give everything. We don't have any big personalities or leadership on the team anymore. Josef saw the writing on the wall, that's why he flipped the table. We've seen the same thing for the last three or four years. There's no leadership on the team, it was apparent last year in the behind the scenes vlog when the youngest player on the team was the one who spoke up while the others who get paid millions just sat there and sulked. Culture and expectations start with the coach and the senior players; if the players aren't buying in Delia needs to sit their ass on the bench. If we're going to lose anyway, play the kids who are hungry and want some first-team action. I'd rather see the team go down swinging versus apathetic players who aren't emotionally invested. ATLUTD has the best fans in the league, they deserve better.
I remember looking forward to matchdays— now I dread them. Y’all have simply made this team a chore to watch. From making bad coaching hires to awful signings, you guys have let every single fan down in the last 5 years. Y’all have destroyed the culture of this club. I miss when players looked happy to play for Atlanta, and play in Mercedes Benz Stadium. Now, players look like they’re forced to play for Atlanta and are only here for a check. I can count on one hand the players who look like they genuinely enjoy playing for this club. Ronny Deila has said it many, many times: this team has no leadership. It’s sad when homegrowns are your most vocal players and not the players you’re paying millions of dollars to play here.
I just hope to see some sort of sign to be hopeful again.
Yours Truly,
James Turner, Jackson Popkin, John, Shawn W, Gustavo Rodriguez, Sydney Hunte, FiveTakesOnTheFiveStrpies, Warren Coleman, Xylph, Chris Kilroy, Will Larkey, HC Fallas, Michael (Atlanta United Fan TV), The Fans, Creators, and Soul of Atlanta United
Raised prices to pay for the hospital if you think AB is going away money without another way to recoup it you’re wrong. The biggest disaster I’ve the last 3-4 years has been keeping a washed up keeper in the goal.