Atlanta United made a major front office decision on Wednesday.
The Eastern Conference club parted ways with Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra. Club President and CEO Garth Lagerwey will assume Bocanegra’s duties on an interim basis for the remainder of the 2024 season.
“We are deeply appreciative of Carlos’s dedication and success over the last nine years with Atlanta United. However, I believe it’s time for our club to move in a new direction,” Lagerwey said. “While we will continue to fight for a playoff spot down the final stretch of the season, this gives us a clean slate and a runway to properly assess all vacancies in our sporting operation ahead of what will be an extremely important offseason for our club.”
Bocanegra originally joined the club as technical director in 2015 and oversaw roster construction since the inaugural season. The Five Stripes lifted MLS Cup three years later, setting numerous league records along the way.
During Bocanegra’s seven-plus seasons in his multiple roles, Atlanta United lifted three trophies. The club had three players win MLS Newcomer of the Year, two players win MLS Young Player of the Year, and one player, Josef Martinez, win the MVP award.
A former U.S. men’s national team player, Bocanegra played professionally for 14 years and also earned 110 senior caps.
The Five Stripes are currently hanging onto the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, earning 31 points to date.
Grateful for all he did for the club. Got us up and running as a model for how to launch a NEW sporting endeavor. But after C-19 and the loss of DeBoer, it started the regression and his leadership, scouting network, talent evaluation and hiring were very poor.
He was recalcitrant and churlish when put to task about the decline and loss of luster. This move is about 2.5 years too late ⏰
Hopeful for a proper reset. New GM, New Coach, New DP’s and a New system of play. This team is weak and hard to watch. The glory has gone out of Atlanta 😔
Yet, we rise
Once this team went in a different direction with the players they recruited, it all went downhill. Only Giakoumakis was the savior after all the Argentines left.
Poor decisions have consequences.
He had a great playing career and was part of Atlanta’s initial success. I’m interested in seeing where he lands. He’s had the type of career that could lead to a leadership role with the USMNT.