As the leaves are beginning to change color and the fall breeze is beginning to blow in, the 5-Stripes are going through final preparations at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground. They close out their season in a place they've never won in Red Bull New York, but they'll go to beat the odds and end their season with positive momentum.
The 4 p.m. ET kickoff on Decision Day won't have the playoff implications Atlanta United hoped for coming into the season, but that doesn't mean the team can't make meaningful strides to making that a reality in 2027.
"We have shown an attitude and willingness that is essentially focused on the future rather than what is happening right now," head coach Tata Martino said in Spanish Thursday. "We need that in order to believe in what’s coming."
Atlanta United's captain as a catalyst for change
Thursday's media availability began honoring Atlanta United's captain. Miguel Almirón received Atlanta United's 2026 Media Ambassador Award, presented by Gallagher. The annual award is voted on by media members, and Almirón succeeded 5-Stripe legend Brad Guzan in earning the award.
Almirón pledged the $5,000 award from Gallagher, plus a matching donation of $10,000 from the club, to Agape Youth and Family Center, a non-profit organization with a mission to empower children and families from underserved communities and end generational poverty. He spoke about
"Whenever it's within our reach, you have to help," Almirón said in Spanish Thursday. "I also lived it when I was a kid. My family and I, thanks to God and to football, can also help people in need. This organization [Agape], I visited last year, and there are many children, many families who are Latino, who also come here to the United States looking for some opportunity, and I think they also need our help. As I said earlier, thank God I can help a little so that they can be well."
As it pertains to the sporting side of Miggy's contributions to the side, he's taking his role of leader in the squad to heart. The number 10 owned up to what has been a "frustrating" campaign.
Almirón's back half of the season has been productive personally, tallying 13 of his 16 goal contributions after the World Cup. He maintains his commitment to the club and the city of Atlanta to bring back consistent winning football, the likes of which he's seen before back in 2018.
"Atlanta is a big club here in MLS," Almirón said. "I think we have one of the best fandoms in the league and I think they also deserve for us to show it on the field. It’s a bit frustrating, but we have to keep going, keep fighting, keep battling. No, I'm not going to give up, I'm not going to hang my head."
Taking momentum from Toronto win to New Jersey
A 3-1 win over Toronto FC Sunday night, giving 17s three more points to celebrate at home at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to end the home schedule, was much needed. Almirón said it himself.
"I think we owed the people a home win," he said. "... We already have to think about improving, using these matches to keep getting better and to start and focus now on the upcoming season. We can't wait any longer. We can't wait until preseason starts, it has to be from now."
One of the ways in which the 5-Stripes got clicking was the relationship between its designated players in attack. Alexey Miranchuk and Almirón combined for the first goal of the night on Sunday, and they did it by cutting through the middle of the defense from opposite wings.
"A lot goes into the connection between those two that involves the entire team," Martino said. "What I see is that as the team begins finding its passing channels and ways of playing, the connection between the two of them becomes increasingly fluid."
Red Bull New York has been a bogey fixture for Atlanta United, winless in eight matches on the road against their Eastern Conference foes. Neither team will be playing for a playoff spot come 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon, but both are hungry to close out the season on a high note. Headed by former United States Men's National Team player Michael Bradley, the Red Bulls have an injection of youth talent that makes them a dynamic team to face.
"Now we're going to face these teams that, as you were saying, are growing as a club, as a team," Almirón said. "I think it will be a very important challenge for us to go there, to try to play our game."
