Atlanta United has announced the firing of coach Gonzalo Pineda just a day after a disappointing loss pushed the team further away from playoff contention in Major League Soccer. After a 3-2 defeat at home to Charlotte, the team has only managed to secure one victory in its final 11 games with Pineda leading the team. This slump has caused the team to drop to 13th in the Eastern Conference and 24th overall in the league standings.
Assistant coach Rob Valentino will step in as the interim coach while the team searches for a permanent replacement. The decision to part ways with Pineda was made in an effort to shift the team in a new direction and improve its performance on the field. CEO and President Garth Lagerwey expressed gratitude for Pineda’s commitment to the club over the past four seasons and emphasized the need for a fresh start.
Pineda, who took over as head coach during the 2021 season, led Atlanta United to a 34-34-39 record in league play. Despite making two playoff appearances under his leadership, the team was eliminated in the opening round on both occasions. In addition to Pineda, assistant coaches Diego de la Torre and Eugenio Villazon were also let go. Goalkeeper coach Liam Curran will remain in his current role as
