Garth Lagerwey enjoyed much success during his time with the Seattle Sounders and now the former MLS general manager will be looking to achieve more of the same with Atlanta United.
Lagerwey was hired as Atlanta United’s new president and chief executive officer, the club announced Tuesday. Lagerwey signed a multi-year contract with the Eastern Conference club.
“I see the opportunity to lead Atlanta United as a dream come true for me,” said Lagerwey. “The opportunity to take on the chief executive role at a club with incredible ownership, unmatched resources and infrastructure, and the amazing fan support this club has enjoyed from the start, all made this move the perfect next step in my career. Honestly, it’s the chance of a lifetime and I could not be more excited to get to Atlanta and get to work.”
Lagerwey joins Atlanta United after leading the Seattle Sounders to MLS Cup titles in 2016 and 2019, the 2022 Concacaf Champions League title, and a berth in the 2021 Leagues Cup Final.
He also previously served as general manager and senior vice president of soccer operations for Real Salt Lake, guiding the team to its lone MLS title in 2009 and one additional appearance in the MLS Cup final.
Atlanta United failed to make the playoffs in 2022.
Here is a closer look at all of the recent MLS News:
Orlando City re-signs Mauricio Pereyra
Mauricio Pereyra has played a leading role for Orlando City over the past four seasons and isn’t set to leave the club anytime soon.
Pereyra was re-signed by the Lions on Wednesday, which will keep him under contract through the 2024 MLS season. The Uruguayan midfielder was out of contract following this season, but will remain at Exploria Stadium into the near future.
“Mauricio has been our leader both on and off the field since he joined the club and he did a fantastic job as captain for us last year,” Orlando’s EVP of soccer operations and general manager Luis Muzzi said in a release. “The example he sets with his professionalism and what he means to our group cannot be overstated. We’re so happy to have Mauricio back with us for the next couple of seasons.”
The 33-year-old helped the Lions win their first-ever trophy in club history this season as Orlando City defeated Sacramento Republic to win the 2022 U.S. Open Cup. Orlando City will also take part in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League and aim to return to the MLS playoffs.
Pereyra has registered four goals and 33 assists in 83 matches for the Lions since arriving to MLS in 2019.
D.C. United signs free agent Tyler Miller
D.C. United added to its goalkeeping ranks on Wednesday with Tyler Miller making the move to Audi Field.
Miller signed a two-year contract with D.C. United after spending the last three seasons with Minnesota United. Miller’s contract will run through 2024, as he fills the void left by David Ochoa and Jon Kempin.
“We are getting a proven MLS goalkeeper who has seven years of experience in this league,” said D.C. United’s president of soccer operations, Dave Kasper in a statement. “He’s a great shot stopper and leader who also has the ability to play with his feet out of the back. We’re excited to add Tyler to our roster ahead of 2023 and add an important piece to our goalkeeper core.”
Miller began his MLS career with the Seattle Sounders after being drafted in the third round of the 2015 Draft. He served as a back-up to Swiss veteran Stefan Frei and also spent one season in the USL Championship.
He joined LAFC ahead of the 2018 season and totaled 19 clean sheets in 61 regular-season appearances. Miller was also part of LAFC’s Supporters’ Shield-winning squad in 2019 before joining Minnesota United.
Miller served as a back-up to Dayne St. Clair in 2022 and will have a strong opportunity to win the starting job in Wayne Rooney’s squad this season.
Dynamo acquires Artur in trade with Crew
The Houston Dynamo continued to stay busy this offseason, adding veteran midfielder Artur in a trade on Tuesday.
Artur joined the Dynamo from the Columbus Crew, in exchange for up to $350,000 in General Allocation Money. The Crew will receive a guaranteed $200,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) in 2023, a guaranteed $100,000 in GAM in 2024, and up to $50,000 in conditional GAM if certain performance incentives are met.
“Artur is a proven winner in our league, a true competitor and a leader in the locker room,” Dynamo general manager Pat Onstad said. “We talked about bringing in winners this offseason and Artur embodies this mentality. He will be a unifying presence in the locker room and will add a more physical element to our central midfield next season. I am excited to work with Artur again and welcome him and his family to the city of Houston.”
Artur initially joined the Crew on loan from Sao Paulo FC prior to the start of the 2017 season and was permanently transferred to Columbus at the end of the year. He totaled three assists in 24 league appearances before making the loan permanent.
Artur appeared in a total of 138 regular-season matches for the Crew, scoring two goals and adding nine assists over the course of his six seasons. He joins a Dynamo squad that will be looking to improve on last season’s last-place finish.
Quick Kicks:
- The MLS Re-Entry Draft concluded Tuesday with a total of six players being chosen. Bobby Wood, Ifunanyachi Achara, and Victor Vazquez were among the players selected in Tuesday’s Stage Two. The New England Revolution selected Bobby Wood, Ifunanyachi Achara was selected by the Houston Dynamo, Toronto FC selected Victor Vazquez, and Michael Baldisimo was chosen by the San Jose Earthquakes.
- Sporting Kansas City and the Colorado Rapids made one selection apiece with Nicolas Isimat-Mirin re-joining SKC and Lucas Esteves staying with the Rapids.
- Andrew Tarbell joined the Houston Dynamo as a free agent signing, committing with the Western Conference club through the 2024 MLS season.
- Minnesota United re-signed goalkeeper Eric Dick to a one-year contract through 2023, the club announced Tuesday. Dick will serve as the backup goalkeeper to Canadian international Dayne St. Clair following Tyler Miller’s move to D.C. United.