One big transfer need for Atlanta United before the primary window closes | OneFootball

Atlanta United team president Garth Lagerwey and sporting director Chris Henderson preferred doing most of therir big transfer business during the summer transfer window, when there was often a much wider range of talent available.

But with Atlanta mired in its worst eight-match start in club history following a 1-0 loss to the New England Revolution on Saturday, and carrying enormous expectations after spending a reported $32 million in transfer money to bring in Miguel Almiron and Emmanuel Latte Lath, there may be urgency to add a key piece earlier than that.

The good news is that Atlanta's most glaring need in the short term may be one that can be found within MLS for the right price: A replacement for Dax McCarty.

This isn't about the now-retired McCarty's footballing qualities as a defensive midfielder as it is about having an MLS veteran on the pitch who can organize a team that is so far performing at a level less than the sum of its parts. That was McCarty's most important role for Atlanta last season as a 37-year-old when more than half of his 22 regular season appearances came off the bench.

As MLSsoccer.com's Matthew Doyle wrote in his own assessment of Eastern Conference transfer needs, there's an argument that positionally Atlanta's biggest need is either a ball-winning defensive midfielder or a center back. And that's probably accurate

But which position could be filled before the window closes might depend on the profile of players available at each. It's more important that whoever is acquired have those organizational and leadership qualities of that player.

The challenge is that, given the league's relative parity, most teams aren't willing to part with a key player after only eight or nine matches unless they are made an overwhelming offer.

But exceptions might be Sporting Kansasd City and CF Montreal, who have already parted with head coaches wiethout naming permanent successors, suggesting theirs will be a long-range rebuild.

From Montreal in particular, captain and defensive midfielder Samuel Piette or center back Joel Waterman could both be intriguing additons. And Montreal has a track record of being willing to part with assets desired by other clubs.