Enea Mihaj recognized that some Atlanta United supporters may think, “Who is this guy?” but he wants to help the team not just make the playoffs but win a title.
Their pessimism may be based upon the team being 13th in the Eastern Conference, 13 points behind the ninth and final playoff spot with 11 matches remaining.
But Mihaj said many times that he’s here to help the project succeed.
“I think we have a lot of work to do, but we’re in the right path, and I think soon, the work we have done until now will show up in the places,” he said Tuesday.
Atlanta United manager Ronny Deila is setting expectations for Mihaj, a 26-year-old centerback.
He has said that Mihaj will provide leadership and help the team improve its defense of set pieces, in which it’s last in MLS with 10 goals allowed. Atlanta United has allowed 43 goals this season, third most in the league.
Mihaj attended last week’s 3-2 loss against Charlotte at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It’s one of five matches he said he watched. Atlanta United lost because it gave up three soft goals, including two in less than 15 minutes to start the second half.
“It was a pity the result because I think we did one of the best first halves of the season, and then we turned off a little bit,” he said. “I think what I can help is communication, try to help my teammates, strong in the duels. But football is a collective sport, and we need all of us to step up to do better, our job.”
Tuesday was Mihaj’s second session with the club and only his fourth day in Atlanta and the U.S., where he had never visited. He said he has been training by himself to try to be fit for Saturday’s match against Seattle. Matthew Edwards said Mihaj’s skill is obvious.
Mihaj said he is an aggressive defender and reads matches well. He is comfortable playing in a back four or back five, whatever Deila decides. He mostly played in a back four at his previous club, Famalicão in Portugal. His national team, Albania, as well as at another previous club, PAOK in Greece, played mostly with a back five.
“The main reason I came here, it’s I want to compete for something important, and they help me to understand that’s the target, and that’s why I choose to be here,” he said.
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Atlanta United’s 2025 schedule
Feb. 22 Atlanta United 3, Montreal 2
March 1 Charlotte 2, Atlanta United 0
March 8 Atlanta United 0, New York Red Bulls 0
March 16 Miami 2, Atlanta United 1
March 22 Atlanta United 2, Cincinnati 2
March 29 Atlanta United 4, NYCFC 3
April 5 Atlanta United 1, Dallas 1
April 12 New England 1, Atlanta United 0
April 19 Philadelphia 3, Atlanta United 0
April 26 Orlando 3, Atlanta United 0
May 3 Atlanta United 1, Nashville 1
May 10 Chicago 2, Atlanta United 1
May 14 Atlanta United 1, Austin 1
May 17 Philadelphia 1, Atlanta United 0
May 25 Atlanta United 4, Cincinnati 2
May 28 Atlanta United 3, Orlando 2
May 31 Red Bulls 2, Atlanta United 0
June 12 NYCFC 4, Atlanta United 0
June 25 Columbus 3, Atlanta United 1
July 5 Atlanta United 0, D.C. United 0
July 12 Atlanta United 1, Toronto 1
July 16 Atlanta United 2, Chicago 2
July 19 Charlotte 3, Atlanta United 2
July 26 vs. Seattle, 7:30 p.m., Apple
July 30 vs. Necaxa, Leagues Cup
Aug. 2 vs. Pumas in Orlando, Leagues Cup
Aug. 6 vs. Atlas, Leagues Cup
Aug. 9 at Montreal, 7:30 p.m., Apple
Aug. 16 at Colorado, 9:30 p.m., Apple
Aug. 24 vs. Toronto, 5 p.m., Apple
Aug. 30 at Nashville, 8:30 p.m. Apple
Sept. 13 vs. Columbus, 7:30 p.m., Apple
Sept. 20 vs. San Diego, 4:30 p.m., Apple
Sept. 27 at New England, 7:30 p.m., Apple
Oct. 5 at LAFC, 9 p.m., Apple
Oct. 11 at Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 18 vs. D.C. United, 6 p.m., Apple
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