Mid-season Performance Evaluations: Midfielders

technically better than in recent seasons!

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 utilizing 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, Miguel Almirón and the other forwards and wingers. Today, we’ll take a look at the central midfielders.

Alexey Miranchuk | 2024 g+/96: 0.03 in 852 minutes | 2025 g+/96: -0.04 in 1714 minutes | Probable cap hit: Designated Player — $743,750 | Contract length: 2027, option for 2028

Looking forward in MLS is hard. Most of the time, you get things wrong—"Derrick Etienne Jr. should be a solid pick up in free agency”—but every now and then, your gut takes you to the right place. I remember writing/saying a few things when Thiago Almada left and writing a few things when Alexey Miranchuk arrived.

• “Atlanta should avoid a more traditional No. 10 who offers nothing defensively.”

• “Miranchuk’s per 90 stats are misleading and he could end up being a totally different player as a full-time starter for a team that’s not Atalanta.

• “He finds space well, he moves the ball quickly, but I’m not sure how he comes by goal-scoring chances and he isn’t going to give you anything defensively. I also initially said really positive things about Tristan Muyumba’s ability to find space and he fell off a cliff in 2024.”

• “I think this team might be better with Miranchuk than Thiago Almada.”

Three out of four ain’t bad in MLS!

We have a clear idea of who Miranchuk is as an MLS player now. When he gets on the ball, he’s an effective passer and chance creator. Everything else…