Goalkeeper Brad Guzan knows expectations surrounding Atlanta United are growing ahead of the new MLS season, but he has warned they may need time to hit their stride.

The Five Stripes host CF Montreal in their first game of the 2024 campaign this week, having appointed former Celtic boss Ronny Deila as their new head coach in December.

They finished ninth in the Eastern Conference under interim coach Rob Valentino and spectacularly upset Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in the playoffs, only to go out to Orlando City in the Eastern Conference semi-final.

After re-signing Miguel Almiron from Newcastle United, as well as acquiring Aleksei Miranchuk and Emmanuel Latte Lath during a busy offseason, Atlanta have been tipped as a genuine contender for the MLS Cup.

"A lot of that talk and discussion comes from the outside," Guzan said. "Us as a group, we're continuing to build. 

"It may not be perfect on Saturday at times, that's okay... It's how we get through those moments. Ultimately, we want to build and grow as the season goes on."

Atlanta won the MLS Cup in 2018 with Guzan between the sticks, and he says they will need to take things game by game to repeat that feat.

"That's what 2018 represented," Guzan continued. "That's ultimately what we want to do. How we get there is going to be a process. 

"It's not going to happen in week one, it's not going to happen in week six or whatever. We now need to, as a group, continue to build and grow and learn – individually, collectively, and together with the staff. 

"I think if we do that, then we can have consistent performances week to week that put us in a position to be able to compete for trophies."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Atlanta United – Pedro Amador 

Left-back Amador recorded eight assists in 11 matches from 18 September through to the end of last season's playoffs, more than any other player in MLS managed over that span.

CF Montreal – Giacomo Vrioni

Montreal lost their top scorer from last season, Josef Martinez (13 goals) to the San Jose Earthquakes this offseason.

However, they have acquired Vrioni, who led the New England Revolution with nine goals in 2024. Four of Vrioni's 16 MLS goals have been scored against Atlanta.

MATCH PREDICTION – ATLANTA UNITED WIN

Montreal recorded 11 wins in the 2024 regular season, the eighth straight full season that they had posted at least 11 victories (excluding the shortened 2020 season).

Having chosen to stick with Laurent Courtois in the name of stability, they will hope to build on that showing in 2025.

Atlanta eliminated Montreal in the wild-card round of the playoffs last year, winning on penalties after a 2-2 draw. 

The Five Stripes won four of their final seven matches of 2024 (D1, advancing on a penalty shoot-out, L2, including playoffs) after recording just two wins in their previous 15 matches in all competitions.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Atlanta United – 53.3%

CF Montreal – 22.8%

Draw – 23.9%