Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United name Seattle assistant as their new head coach

By WSBTV.com News Staff

Minnesota United FC v Seattle Sounders: Western Conference Finals - MLS Cup Playoffs SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 07: Seattle Sounders assistant coach Gonzalo Pineda and head coach Brian Schmetzer motions toward their players against the Minnesota United in the second half during the Western Conference Final of the MLS Cup Playoffs at Lumen Field on December 07, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

By WSBTV.com News Staff

ATLANTA — Atlanta United announced they have found their new head coach and this time they did not have to venture outside Major League Soccer to find him.

The Five Stripes have agreed to hire Gonzalo Pineda to be their manager. Pineda will be the fourth head coach in team history.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Gonzalo as the head coach of Atlanta United,” Atlanta United President Darren Eales said. “Building off an illustrious international playing career, Gonzalo joined Seattle’s coaching staff and played an integral role in the club’s success over the last few years. He has a thorough understanding of MLS and has proven to be one of the top assistants in the league. He is a great fit for our club from a cultural and technical perspective, and we’re excited to have a long-term commitment in place.”

Pineda takes over for the fired Gabriel Heinze, who was let go July 18. Team assistant Rob Valentino has been the interim coach while the team was searching for a replacement.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Pineda comes to Atlanta from the Seattle Sounders where he was an assistant for four seasons under head coach Brian Schmetzer.

During his Seattle tenure, the Sounders won the MLS Cup in 2019 and 2020 and were runners up in 2017.

“This is truly the opportunity of a lifetime and I’m really excited to become Atlanta United’s head coach,” Pineda said. “I want to thank Arthur Blank, Steve Cannon, as well as Darren and Carlos for entrusting me in this position. I’m arriving to a club that already has a system in place to help the players and coaching staff deliver good results for the supporters. I’m looking forward to arriving in Atlanta and meeting with everyone at the club.”

Pineda was a long time defender who played for the Mexican Olympic team and had a 13-year career in several professional leagues. He finished his playing career with the Sounders in 2015 and after a year working as a game analyst for Univision.

After doing that for a year, Pineda returned to Seattle and began his coaching career by taking the assistant’s job with the Sounders.

TRENDING STORIES:

The United have struggled during the 2021 season. They currently sit at 3-6-9 and 18 points. That leaves them 10th out of 14 teams in the MLS Eastern Division and six points out of the last playoff berth.

Valentino will continue to serve as interim coach for the club’s next two games. Pineda will join the team in Atlanta next week for his first training session on Thursday.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]


©2021 Cox Media Group

Most Read