“I’m not sure how much I’m going to be able to tell you.”



As Carlos Bocanegra walked into a second-floor conference room at Atlanta United’s training facility, he immediately established the rules of engagement. It was a joke—I hadn’t asked a single question—but it contained a kernel of truth. In contrast with Darren Eales, Atlanta’s outgoing, media-friendly president, Bocanegra is typically guarded with the press.



However, it didn’t take long for the club’s vice president and technical director to settle into the interview and grow comfortable talking about the intricacies of his role and his future with the club, his plan to avoid the need for a rebuilding year in Atlanta and the evolution of the club’s player profile.



Among Bocanegra’s main responsibilities are thorough evaluations of players and members of the technical staff. He takes meticulous notes on...