Mid-season Performance Evaluations: Forwards and Wingers

The watch feels a little broken

Before the season began, we ran a series called “Performance Evaluations” that looked back at each returning player’s 2024 and took our best shot at what their 2025 might look like. Some were optimistic (Hi, Bartek), some were skeptical (Hi, Alexey), and some were a psyop based on per 90 stats to kickstart flame wars about certain players that would in theory boost clicks to the article (Jk we would never do that) ((Hi, Edwin)).

As we continue to try and find the black box on Atlanta United’s 2025 season, I thought it might be instructive to look back at the preseason evaluations and compare them to the actual performances. We’ve already tried to figure out what’s up with Latte Lath and Miguel Almirón. Today, we’ll take a look at the remaining forwards and wingers.

Saba Lobjanidze | 2024 g+/96: 0.11 in 2728 minutes, 29 starts | 2025 g+/96: -0.07 in 1133 minutes, 13 starts | Probable cap hit: Near max TAM | Contract length: 2026

Oh man. Ok, so, immediately, we can see a distinct change in performance for Saba this season. Part of me wanted to go ahead and credit some of those shifts to a slightly altered role as a wingback (who, admittedly, still gets forward a ton), but he’s only made three starts there this season. Those three starts have been impressive per the numbers and the eye test, though. He’s averaged 0.08 goals added per 96 in that span, much closer to his 2024 average that made him Atlanta’s most productive player last season.

Still, there’s been a stark difference in overall performance.

This is…not what we were expecting before the season started. You can say that about so many things, but the logic behind Lobjanidze producing at a high level seemed solid. He seemed set to be the fourth option in an attack with four high-level options. With defenses focused on slowing Latte Lath and Miguel Almirón in particular, the odds that Lobjanidze would reap the benefits of extra space for activities felt high.

Instead,