Miguel Almiron return to Atlanta United not working out as hoped | OneFootball

Miguel Almiron moved from Newcastle United to Atlanta United on 30 January 2025.

Almost exactly six years to the day (31 January 2019) when he moved in the opposite direction.

Some great business by Newcastle United in that last transfer window, saw Lloyd Kelly also move out, with the two transfers set to earn United around £30m in total and especially in PSR terms great business, as for PSR almost all that money will be banked as profit in the 2024/25 accounts.

The move back to the USA also looked set to be a great decision for both Miguel Almiron and Atlanta United, it couldn’t have got off to a better start.

First game of the MLS season (Eastern Conference), Atlanta United hosting Montreal, a crowd of 65,520 turning up to see the return of Miguel Almiron.

He didn’t disappoint. Miggy was outstanding on his second debut for the club.

Atlanta United twice led, only for Montreal to level both times. Then came the moment, five minutes to go, Miguel Almiron setting up Mosquera to score the winning goal (see the official report below)!

However, things haven’t continued in quite the same way for both Miguel Almiron and Atlanta United.

The next nine league matches have seen only one win.

In the eight of these last nine that Miggy has started, Atlanta United have picked up only five points from a possible 24 and in five of the eight Atlanta haven’t even scored a goal.

This is how the MLS Eastern Conference table now looks on 1 May 2025:

The last three MLS matches have seen Atlanta United and Miguel Almiron lose all three conceding seven goals and not scoring a single one.

It isn’t only the results that have fallen away dramatically.

Whilst 65,520 turned up for the first game and win of the season to see Miggy’s return, the last home game was a 1-0 defeat to New England and a crowd of only 41,879 there to see it, some 24,000 less than for the Miguel Almiron return.

In his first spell at Atlanta United, Miguel Almiron was a machine when it came to direct goal involvements. Starting 65 MLS matches he had 41 direct goal involvements, scoring 22 and getting 19 assists. After that opening day win and assist for the winning goal, Miguel Almiron has not managed to add any more assists and has only scored two goals.

Obviously the blame can’t be only attached to the former Newcastle United player but certainly Miggy hasn’t been able to have anything like the kind of impact he did first time around at Atlanta United.

Hopefully Miggy and Atlanta can turn it around but I think fair to say as well, that Newcastle United eventually banking £11m from this Miguel Almiron (now aged 31) return to Atlanta United, is looking a cracking deal for NUFC.

Atlanta United official site – 23 February 2025:

’17s, you’ve done it again. Atlanta United recorded an attendance of 65,520, the third-largest crowd for a soccer match in the world on Saturday. The 5-Stripes took down CF Montréal 3-2, as new signing Emmanuel Latte Lath scored a brace in his competitive debut with the club. Both of his goals had 17s rocking, and you could truly here the force of north of 65,000 passionate supporters.

Fans had plenty of reasons to be in the building. A new head coach led a team with new signings all over the pitch, maybe none more energizing than Miguel Almirón, who dazzled in his return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, assisting the winning/go ahead goal. As the lineups were announced, fans waited for No. 10’s name to be called. A roar erupted as Miggy’s smile showed on the Halo Board once again. Fans gave him a standing ovation as he left the pitch in the 99th minute. Bienvenidos a casa, Miggy.

ATLiens also got to witness a milestone for another club legend, as Brad Guzan made his 200th appearance for the club. Chants of “GUZZZ” echoed throughout the ground as the veteran captain came up with a few clutch saves down the stretch.

Latte Lath set the stadium ablaze twice during the match, but no sound could match the sound of the winner. Substitute Edwin Mosquera’s strike in the 85th minute proved the decider.