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

Wasting no time Atlanta United have secured all three of their designated players for the 2017 season, and clearly they have been studying MLS history.

The start for a new MLS expansion team typically follows one of two paths. Either an existing club from USL or NASL is elevated (can’t say promoted) or an entirely new organization is started. Atlanta United is taking the second path, but with heaps of resources and having studying their MLS history books.

The position of Designated Player is one that can bring excitement, hope, victories, disappointment and/or frustration. Some clubs use all three almost every season, while others tend to avoid that more expensive route. For year one Atlanta is electing to spend big, fill all three, and do so following a tried a true method in American soccer.

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The South American superstar has been a part of the fabric of MLS since it’s inception. Carlos Valderrama was the first ever league MVP. Since then successful clubs have been built around the addition of a South American player maker. Think Guillermo Barros Schelotto at Columbus or David Ferreira at Dallas in years past, or most recently Diego Valeri and Nico Loderio leading their clubs to MLS Cup victories.

Clearly setting up to win in year one, Atlanta has developed a squad full of MLS veterans and exciting young DPs. First they signed Hector Villalba, an Argentine winger, and then Miguel Almiron, an attacking midfielder from Paraguay.

Then last week they announced their third DP, on loan for the season from Torino, Josef Martinez a striker from Venezuela. All three are either 22 or 23 years old, with Almiron and Martinez already appearing for their senior national teams.

Expect all three on the field in the club’s first match. Along side MLS vets such as Jeff Larentowicz, Michael Parkhurst, and Tyrone Mears, the team will have the talent to win. The question will be how team chemistry has developed by that point.

Will all three DPs end up successful for Atlanta? History tells us no. But if even one is a hit and the club make the playoffs in 2017, Atlanta’s big splash will have paid off. The team kicks off their season hosting the New York Red Bulls on March 5th.