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Atlanta United could be facing one of its most consequential offseason departures, with multiple reports linking Bartosz Slisz to a potential move to Brøndby IF in Denmark for a fee in the region of $3 million. If the deal is finalized, it would mark the end of a transformative chapter for both the player and the club.

Since arriving in Atlanta, Slisz has quietly grown into one of the most reliable defensive midfielders in Major League Soccer. Over that same period, he has also become a regular selection for the Poland national team, turning consistent club form into sustained international recognition.

Last season, Slisz was Atlanta United’s best and most important player. He was the team’s stabilizer in possession, its engine in transition, and its first line of resistance without the ball. The numbers (per FBRef) underline what the eye test confirmed every week:

Progressive influence: Slisz ranked in the 82nd percentile for progressive carries and the 85th percentile for progressive passes, consistently pushing Atlanta up the field rather than recycling possession sideways.

Ball circulation and tempo control: He completed over 56 passes per 90 at an 88% completion rate, with elite marks in short and medium passing accuracy, allowing Atlanta to build through the middle instead of around it.

Defensive intelligence: His interceptions (88th percentile) and shot blocks (96th percentile) highlight a player who reads danger early and positions himself to extinguish it before it becomes a crisis.

Aerial and physical presence: For a holding midfielder, Slisz was dominant in the air — winning nearly 67% of his aerial duels, a figure in the 98th percentile among his peers.

This was not a defensive midfielder who merely destroyed play. Slisz drove Atlanta forward with carries through pressure, broke lines with his passing, and gave the team a platform to attack from stable footing. He played with authority, maturity, and consistency and demonstrated the traits of a leader, even when not wearing the armband.

Why Brøndby?

If Slisz does depart, the destination makes sense. Brøndby IF is not just another European club, it is one of Denmark’s historic powers, a perennial contender in the Danish Superliga, and a regular participant in European competitions. The club is known for blending domestic development with smart international recruitment, especially players who can step into leadership roles quickly.

For Slisz, a move to Brøndby would mean:

What This Means for Atlanta

If this transfer happens, Atlanta United would not just be losing a starter. They would be losing a central piece of the team’s spine.

Slisz was the connector between defense and attack, the safety valve under pressure, and the player who allowed others to take risks because he was always positioned to clean up behind them. Replacing his minutes will be difficult. Replacing his influence will be even harder.

The depth chart does offer options. Steven Alzate, Jay Fortune (returning from long-term injury), Tristan Muyumba, and Will Reilly all return in central midfield, with the possibility of Tomás Jacob also featuring in that role, as he did at times with Newell’s and Necaxa when he wasn’t on the back line. But none replicate Slisz’s exact profile as a two-way stabilizer who could both protect and progress the game.

Buckle up. Camp opens Saturday, and we’ll be on hand Monday when media are allowed into the first open training session in Marietta.

Substitute Adil Boulbina delivered the moment of the tournament so far, striking in the 118th minute to send Algeria into the quarter-finals with a dramatic 1–0 extra-time win over DR Congo in Rabat. In a match defined by discipline, physicality, and long stretches of stalemate, Boulbina’s curling finish finally broke a contest that had seemed destined for penalties. Algeria controlled much of the tempo, but it took a flash of late brilliance to separate two evenly matched sides and set up a mouthwatering quarter-final with Nigeria in Marrakesh.

Earlier in the evening, defending champions Côte d’Ivoire made a statement of their own, powering past Burkina Faso 3–0 to keep their title defense firmly on track. Amad Diallo was again at the heart of everything for Les Éléphants, scoring the opener and assisting the second as the Ivorians overwhelmed the Stallions with pace, movement, and relentless pressure. The result sets up one of the tournament’s most anticipated clashes, Côte d’Ivoire vs. Egypt, a meeting between the reigning champions and Africa’s most decorated side.

With the Round of 16 complete, the quarter-final lineup reads like a roll call of continental royalty. Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Algeria are all through, joined by Mali and hosts Morocco, who continue to ride the wave of home support after edging past Tanzania. It is a last eight that blends tradition and momentum, serial winners alongside hungry challengers, all converging at the business end of Africa’s biggest tournament.

The matchups reflect that balance. Morocco vs. Cameroon promises intensity and atmosphere. Senegal vs. Mali delivers a classic West African duel. Nigeria vs. Algeria pits two heavyweight programs with contrasting styles and ambitions. But the headline tie may be Egypt vs. Côte d’Ivoire, where history meets the present, seven-time champions against the holders, both believing this tournament is theirs to take.

As AFCON Morocco 2025 moves into its decisive phase, the conversation now shifts from spectacle to substance. The quarter-finals bring a clearer picture of where each contender truly stands, separating tournament momentum from genuine championship credentials. For sides like Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Egypt, this stage is no longer about surviving knockout rounds, but about proving they have the balance, depth, and tactical discipline required to lift the trophy in a tournament that rarely forgives even the smallest mistake.

Manchester City’s defensive depth is being tested at the worst possible moment. Ruben Dias is expected to miss four to six weeks with a hamstring injury, while Josko Gvardiol is set for surgery on a fractured shin that could sideline him until late in the season. With John Stones still unavailable, Pep Guardiola suddenly finds himself with just two fit senior center backs for a stretch that includes seven matches across four competitions in 22 days, a schedule that leaves little margin for error.

In the short term, Abdukhodir Khusanov and Nathan Aké are expected to shoulder the load, with 20-year-old Max Alleyne recalled from loan as emergency depth. But this is no ordinary injury spell. City are navigating the most demanding phase of their calendar with a defensive rotation that is thin by their own exacting standards, raising the possibility that January may require more than internal solutions.

That context is why Marc Guehi has moved to the center of the conversation. The Crystal Palace captain is out of contract in the summer, and while there is an understanding he could leave on a free at season’s end, Palace manager Oliver Glasner has acknowledged that a sufficiently large offer this month could change the timeline. City are weighing whether to act now, knowing they face competition from Liverpool and interest from abroad, including Barcelona, for one of England’s most reliable defenders.

For City, this is less about opportunism and more about risk management. The club rarely makes reactive moves in January, but losing Dias and Gvardiol simultaneously alters the calculus. The question is whether Guardiola and the recruitment team view Guehi as a short-term solution to a mounting injury crisis or as a longer-term piece who fits the next cycle of City’s defense. Either way, the next few weeks will reveal how flexible City are willing to be when their usually deep squad suddenly feels thin in the most critical area of the pitch.

Soccer has officially moved into the top tier of sports culture in the United States. New data cited by The Economist from Ampere Analysis shows that 10 percent of Americans now identify soccer as their favorite sport, placing it third nationwide behind only American football and basketball and narrowly ahead of baseball. It is a landmark moment that reflects not a sudden surge, but a steady climb that has been years in the making.

The shift is the product of multiple long-term forces aligning at once. Youth participation remains strong across the country, Major League Soccer continues to expand its footprint, and global club fandom has become easier than ever to access in a digital-first sports environment. Add in the growing visibility of the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams and the countdown to hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and soccer’s rise feels less like a trend and more like a structural change in how people in the United States engage with sports.

For baseball, the data underscores a changing competitive landscape rather than a collapse in relevance. The sport remains deeply woven into the national identity, but soccer’s global calendar, constant flow of meaningful matches, and social media driven ecosystem have allowed it to grow at a faster pace. The key distinction in the new research is not participation alone, but favorite sport status, a measure that points directly to emotional investment and long-term fan loyalty.

What this signals for the future is clear. Soccer is no longer positioned as an emerging alternative in the U.S. sports hierarchy. It is now firmly established among the country’s core sports properties, with momentum that aligns with a decade defined by major tournaments, expanding professional pathways, and a fan base that looks increasingly global in how it consumes the game.

If you’re missing SDH AM this morning, it is well worth your time. The show features Columbus Crew commentator Chris Doran, MLSSoccer.com contributor Dylan Butler, and Rabieh Krayem, President of Wynnum Wolves FC, breaking down the launch of Solomon Kings FC in the OFC Premier League. It was a wide-ranging conversation that connected MLS, global football development, and the next chapter of the game in Oceania.

Also available on demand today, last night’s Atlanta Soccer Tonight is ready for you on the Audacy app and through the Off The Woodwork podcast feed from 92.9 The Game if you missed it live or want to catch the replay.

Nashville lands Espinoza
Nashville SC have landed one of the biggest names on the free agent market, signing winger Cristian Espinoza as their third designated player. The longtime San Jose standout brings elite creativity and durability to a Nashville attack that leaned heavily on Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge last season, addressing a clear need for secondary scoring and chance creation. For a club returning to the Concacaf Champions Cup in 2026, this is a statement move that raises both the ceiling and the expectations.

Chicago Stars plan new performance center
The Chicago Stars have unveiled plans for a new performance center in Bannockburn, set to become the hub of all club operations beginning in 2027. With multiple full-sized fields and a 45,000-square-foot facility, the project signals a long-term investment in infrastructure after years of operating out of temporary solutions. Until then, the Stars will continue training at SeatGeek Stadium, where support has lagged despite the club’s growth on the field.

Angel City adds Ary Borges
Angel City FC have strengthened their midfield with the signing of Brazilian international Ary Borges on a three-year deal. The former Racing Louisville standout arrives with 49 caps for Brazil and a reputation as one of the NWSL’s most complete box-to-box players. It is another significant step in Angel City’s push to add experience and balance through the spine of the team.

U.S. referees set record for FIFA panel
A record 47 match officials from U.S. Soccer’s Referee Program have been appointed to the 2026 FIFA International Panel, marking a major milestone for officiating development in the country. Newcomer Rosendo Mendoza headlines a class that includes 16 referees and, for the first time, two representatives in Beach Soccer. The appointments reflect the growing international footprint of American officials ahead of a decade filled with major global tournaments on home soil.

Almada’s future uncertain at Atlético
Just months into his time in Spain, Thiago Almada could already be on the move as Atlético Madrid weigh their options in a crowded midfield. Limited starts and heavy competition in attacking roles have placed the former Botafogo star on the radar of Premier League clubs, though no formal offers have yet emerged. For a player who arrived with a major price tag, the second half of the season may prove decisive in defining his European trajectory.

Pressure builds on Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid
The Spanish Supercup could shape the future of Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid, with reports suggesting the tournament serves as a de facto evaluation point for the club hierarchy. Injuries have complicated his tenure, most notably the absence of Kylian Mbappé, but results and performances remain under scrutiny despite a recent winning run. With medical changes already underway inside the club, the next week in Saudi Arabia carries significance well beyond a single trophy.

Gasperini to meet Friedkin over Roma strategy
Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini is set for a pivotal meeting with co-owner Ryan Friedkin as tensions grow over the club’s January transfer approach. Despite recent goals from Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk, Gasperini continues to push for reinforcements in attack, with names like Giacomo Raspadori and Joshua Zirkzee on his wish list. The outcome of these talks could define Roma’s direction for the rest of the season.

Falcao returns for one more runRadamel
Radamel Falcao is heading back to Millonarios, announcing what could be the final chapter of a storied career just months before the next World Cup. The legendary striker brings proven production from his recent stint and a leadership presence that transcends the stat sheet. For Colombian football, it is a sentimental return that also carries real competitive significance ahead of continental play.

From transfer rumors at the center of Atlanta United’s midfield to heavyweight matchups at AFCON and big signals about soccer’s place in the sports landscape of the United States, today felt like one of those days where everything points forward at once. The offseason always brings noise, but right now it feels more like momentum than distraction.

With training camp opening, major tournaments hitting their stride, and storylines stacking up across leagues and continents, this is the part of the calendar where preparation turns into possibility. Thanks for spending part of your day with us here at Morning Espresso. We will keep connecting the dots as the season ahead comes into focus.

Jason