MLS: Atlanta United dismisses Gonzalo Pineda

Atlanta United fired head coach Gonzalo Pineda a day after losing its fifth straight home game, a 3-2 loss to Charlotte FC that left it in 13th place in the 15-team Eastern Conference with a 4-8-4 record.

Pineda, the former Mexico international, was an assistant coach with the Seattle Sounders, who had appeared in four MLS Cups in five years when he was hired by Atlanta United in August 2021. He is leaving as head coach formerly of Atlanta, finishing with a record of 34-34-29 over parts of four seasons.

The Five Stripes have been one of the biggest spenders in MLS since entering MLS in 2017 and winning the MLS Cup in 2018. But they haven’t advanced past the first round of the playoffs since 2019, when they reached the Eastern Conference Finals.

• Interim coach: Rob Valentino has been promoted to interim head coach for the second time. He switched to 4-2-2 in 2021 after the dismissal of Gabriel Heinze and before the arrival of Pineda. Given this success, Atlanta United president Garth Lagerwey has pledged his support to Valentino, who may have a slightly different view on some things. The other assistants, Diego de la Torre and Eugenio Villazon, were also fired.

Young Americans: Three MLS stars of the week:1. Brian Gutiérrez (Chicago), 5 points. Scored winner in 2-1 win over LA Galaxy.
2. Esmir Bajraktarevic (New England), 3 pts. Scored in 2-1 win over Nashville SC.
3. Daniel Edelman (New York Red Bulls), 1 pt. Completed 90 percent of passes in two wins.

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Atlanta United fired head coach Gonzalo Pineda a day after losing its fifth straight home game, a 3-2 loss to Charlotte FC that left it in 13th place in the 15-team Eastern Conference with a 4-8-4 record.

Pineda, the former Mexico international, was an assistant coach with the Seattle Sounders, who had appeared in four MLS Cups in five years when he was hired by Atlanta United in August 2021. He is leaving as head coach formerly of Atlanta, finishing with a record of 34-34-29 over parts of four seasons.

The Five Stripes have been one of the biggest spenders in MLS since entering MLS in 2017 and winning the MLS Cup in 2018. But they haven’t advanced past the first round of the playoffs since 2019, when they reached the Eastern Conference Finals.

• Interim coach: Rob Valentino has been promoted to interim head coach for the second time. He switched to 4-2-2 in 2021 after the dismissal of Gabriel Heinze and before the arrival of Pineda. Given this success, Atlanta United president Garth Lagerwey has pledged his support to Valentino, who may have a slightly different view on some things. The other assistants, Diego de la Torre and Eugenio Villazon, were also fired.

Young Americans: Three MLS stars of the week:
1. Brian Gutiérrez (Chicago), 5 points. Scored winner in 2-1 win over LA Galaxy.
2. Esmir Bajraktarevic (New England), 3 pts. Scored in 2-1 win over Nashville SC.
3. Daniel Edelman (New York Red Bulls), 1 pt. Completed 90 percent of passes in two wins.