Atlanta United made a major front office decision on Wednesday.
The Eastern Conference club parted ways with Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra. Club President and CEO Garth Lagerwey will assume Bocanegra’s duties on an interim basis for the remainder of the 2024 season.
“We are deeply appreciative of Carlos’s dedication and success over the last nine years with Atlanta United. However, I believe it’s time for our club to move in a new direction,” Lagerwey said. “While we will continue to fight for a playoff spot down the final stretch of the season, this gives us a clean slate and a runway to properly assess all vacancies in our sporting operation ahead of what will be an extremely important offseason for our club.”
Bocanegra originally joined the club as technical director in 2015 and oversaw roster construction since the inaugural season. The Five Stripes lifted MLS Cup three years later, setting numerous league records along the way.
During Bocanegra’s seven-plus seasons in his multiple roles, Atlanta United lifted three trophies. The club had three players win MLS Newcomer of the Year, two players win MLS Young Player of the Year, and one player, Josef Martinez, win the MVP award.
A former U.S. men’s national team player, Bocanegra played professionally for 14 years and also earned 110 senior caps.
The Five Stripes are currently hanging onto the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, earning 31 points to date.
