Richard Gunney Outlines His Vision for Atlanta City FC

Atlanta City FC could begin signing players in January, even if the club has yet to hire its first head coach. During Monday’s introductory press conference, newly appointed Chief Soccer Officer Richard Gunney outlined how Atlanta intends to begin constructing its inaugural roster well ahead of its 2028 NWSL debut.

Gunney brings a decade of NWSL experience to Atlanta, including four years helping build championship-winning rosters at Gotham FC. His first responsibility is assembling the technical staff and developing a recruitment strategy, but with the club eligible to sign players in just two months, those decisions may overlap.

Building the Roster Before the Head Coach Arrives

Gunney confirmed that the search for Atlanta City’s first head coach will begin as quickly as possible. He did not establish a deadline for the appointment, explaining that the club has flexibility with its inaugural season still more than a year away. That flexibility could lead to the club making its first signings before identifying the person who will coach them.

He emphasized that he would prefer the head coach to participate in recruitment decisions, although the club may need to pursue opportunities before that appointment is made.

Atlanta will have three principal transfer windows to acquire players ahead of its inaugural season, beginning in January 2027, continuing through the summer transfer window, and extending into January 2028.

The NWSL’s recently announced expansion rules provide Atlanta and fellow expansion club Columbus with additional roster-building flexibility. Each club will receive access to $1.43 million in allocation money and a $1.9 million transfer-fee threshold, along with a limited 2027 salary cap of $628,320. Those resources offer Gunney several ways to approach recruitment, although High Impact Player spending will remain unavailable to the expansion clubs until January 2028.

Gunney also acknowledged that the 2027 Women’s World Cup could influence the timing of certain decisions. With the tournament taking place in Brazil during June and July, acquiring players or hiring coaching personnel may require adjustments around their existing commitments.

An Opportunity to Recruit and Develop Younger Players

One of Gunney’s more interesting ideas involves signing players in 2027 and arranging loans so they can continue developing before Atlanta City begins playing.

The NWSL’s elimination of the college draft allows clubs to recruit collegiate players directly. Gunney, who spent years preparing for college drafts during his previous coaching and scouting positions, sees that market as a significant opportunity.

That approach could allow Atlanta to secure promising young players while providing them with competitive minutes elsewhere. It also creates an opportunity to begin building relationships with college programs and youth organizations throughout Georgia. Gunney pointed to Georgia’s existing representation in the NWSL as evidence of the talent being developed within the state. He wants to engage with local clubs and identify players who might see Atlanta City FC as an opportunity to continue their careers closer to home.

The club will also explore the NWSL’s U18 signing mechanism, allowing younger players to enter the professional game directly. Gunney described college and youth recruitment as important components of a broader strategy that will also include established domestic players and international signings.

Establishing an Attacking Identity

While Gunney has begun outlining recruitment priorities, Atlanta City’s specific playing philosophy remains a work in progress. He wants a team capable of entertaining supporters at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and believes an attacking approach should be part of the club’s identity. Gunney emphasized the importance of embracing the athleticism and transitional play that have characterized successful NWSL teams.

However, he stopped short of identifying a particular tactical system, explaining that the final approach will be developed collaboratively with Culebro, the future head coach, and other members of the technical staff.

Gunney intends to draw upon his experience with Portland, San Diego, and Gotham while building out scouting and analytics departments. He described his recruitment philosophy as “data informed and expert led,” combining statistical analysis with evaluations from experienced scouts and coaches.

Gunney also emphasized his ambition to build a core group of U.S. Women’s National Team players, something he considers a common feature of successful NWSL teams. He sees those players as important in establishing the club’s standards, leadership, and identity.

While Gunney hopes Atlanta will eventually become a destination for national-team players, he acknowledged that developing that group could take time and may extend beyond the club’s inaugural season.

Expectations Are Already High

Gunney’s appointment comes with significant expectations from Atlanta City’s leadership. Culebro made clear that the organization intends to compete from its inaugural season, setting playoff qualification and championship contention as objectives for 2028.

Gunney shares that ambition and believes the expansion resources available to Atlanta provide the club with opportunities to build a competitive roster. He also recognizes that the club will need to assemble more than a playing squad, with scouting, analytics, medical, and performance departments all requiring staff before the team’s first season.

His previous experience with San Diego’s expansion team provides a reference point, although Gunney acknowledged that the league’s roster-building rules have changed considerably since the Wave entered the NWSL.

Atlanta has the resources and time to approach those decisions carefully, but the first opportunities to sign players are fast approaching. Gunney must now balance the advantages of acquiring talent early with the need to establish a coaching staff and a playing philosophy that can support the club’s ambitions in 2028.