May 28, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Fans participate in the Atlanta United fan festivities prior to the match between Paraguay and Mexico at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

2017 marks the debut of the new Atlanta United franchise. A look at their updated roster, major story lines, and predictions for the year ahead.

As the biggest metro area in the US without an MLS team, it was only a matter of time before the city joined the league. With no current MLS team within six hours of Atlanta, the expansion franchise is a perfect fit for the growing league between the Orlando and Washington, D.C. markets. However, Atlanta United has taken that opportunity and sprinted into their first year in the MLS.

Supported by Arthur Blank, owner of Home Depot and the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, the team has had basically anything they needed from day one. While the team will start their play in Bobby Dodd Stadium, home of the Georgia Tech college football team, they will eventually move into the brand new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, that they will share with the Falcons, later in 2017.

Even before having one MLS match, the club has already been a mainstay in the headlines. Hiring former Barcelona and Argentina manager Tata Martino. Selling over 30,000 season tickets, when the league averaged just under 22,000 in 2016. That would immediately put Atlanta around 3rd best in the league, even without single match tickets being considered.

All three designated player spots have already been filled, numerous MLS veterans were acquired to provide stability for year one, and EPL striker Kenwyne Jones was signed last summer in an early statement move by the club.

A recap of 2016

Record: N/A

Finishing Position: N/A

Post-season: N/A

2016 was all about generating fan interest, putting together the front office and starting to build the team. Much like the entrance of Orlando and NYCFC, Atlanta will start their MLS history with fan support. The club has announced that over 27,000 season tickets have been sold through January.

Transfers Out:

None (Expansion Team).

While some players were traded or released after being signed, none of them actually appeared for the club.

Transfers In:

Miguel Almiron (Lanus)

Mikey Ambrose ( Expansion Draft – Orlando City)

– Orlando City) Yamil Asad ( Loan – Velez Sarsfield)

– Velez Sarsfield) Mark Bloon (Toronto)

Andrew Carleton ( Home Grown Georgia United)

Georgia United) Carlos Carmona (Atalanta)

Greg Garza ( Loan – Tijuana)

– Tijuana) Chris Goslin ( Home Grown – Georgia United)

– Georgia United) Julian Gressel ( Draft – Providence)

– Providence) Harrison Heath (Orlando City)

Kenwyne Jones (Cardiff City)

Alex Kann ( Expansion Draft – Sporting Kansas City)

– Sporting Kansas City) Alex Kapp ( Draft – Creighton)

– Creighton) Kevin Kratz (Philadelphia Union)

Jeff Larentowicz (LA Galaxy)

Zach Loyd ( Expansion Draft – FC Dallas)

– FC Dallas) Josef Martinez ( Loan – Torino)

– Torino) Chris McCann (Wigan)

Tyrone Mears (Seattle Sounders)

Jeffery Otoo (Charity Stars)

Michael Parkhurst (Columbus Crew)

Jacob Peterson (Sporting Kansas City)

Leandro Gonzalez Pirez (Estudiantes)

Miles Robinson ( Draft – Syracuse)

– Syracuse) Alexandros Tabakis (Panathinaikos)

Brandon Vazquez (Tijuana)

Hector Villalba (San Lorenzo)

Anton Walkes ( Loan – Tottenham)

– Tottenham) Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu ( Draft – Harvard)

– Harvard) Romario Williams (Montreal Impact)

Josef Martínez fue presentado por el Atlanta United https://t.co/0V4z73Bfia pic.twitter.com/HsZC512cn8 — VAVEL Venezuela (@Venezuela_VAVEL) February 3, 2017

Predicted Starting XI for Opening Weekend

Atlanta had an impressive initial MLS preseason. While not every team was fielding starting day MLS caliber players, the results are confidence building for the expansion squad. Based on the squad that starter the majority of the meaningful preseason minutes, the opening day lineup appears to be set.

EPL vet Kenwyne Jones will lead the line, in front of the three attacking minded, Designated Players. Larentowicz and McCann will protect the back line allow those four up top to press and be aggressive debut the home debut

The backline will mix the experience of Parkhurst and MLS Champ Tyrone Mears, along with the talented duo of Pirez and Garza. While all three keepers should see action this season, Alec Kann gets the starting nod.



2017 Predictions

Expansion years are traditionally difficult as clubs figure out their roster and adjust to travel across the U.S. In the last decade, the Seattle Sounders are the only expansion team to make the playoffs in their first year. With their signings Atlanta will be exciting to watch, have a great home stadium, and should have a tremendous atmosphere. However, the playoffs will be a bit too far in year one.

Finishing Position: 9th in the Eastern Conference

2017 MLS Team Previews: