Watch Leeds United icon Mateusz Klich score first goal in Atlanta United colours ahead of MLS bow

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United hero Mateusz Klich switched clubs a few days before the January transfer window and on Saturday evening, he scored his first goal in Atalanta United colours in a pre-season friendly.

Owing to the unique way the MLS calendar falls, clubs are preparing for the start of the MLS season next weekend. Atlanta, who also signed Leeds target Emmanuel Latte Lath for a record fee, face Cincinnati.

Klich has swapped MLS clubs having left Leeds to join DC United in January 2023, spending the last two MLS campaigns with DC. Clocking up 70 games fo DC over the last two years, he had a hand in 20 goals.

That form has seen him make a step up towards the upper echelons of American soccer with Atlanta. A side managed by former Celtic gaffer Ronny Deila, with Atlanta making a number of exciting additions.

• READ MORE: What Sam Chambers has been doing in Leeds United training that is “interesting”

Mateusz Klich scores first goal in Atlanta United colours

Atlanta were in action on Saturday evening as they faced fellow MLS side New England Revolution. Klich and his new teammates secured a comfortable 2-0 win, though Latte Lath was not involved in the game.

Brad Guzan, new signing Miguel Almiron and former Blackburn, Bristol City and Ireland defender Derrick Williams also featured. A comfortable and convincing win for DC, in which Klich scored his side’s second.

DC described the goal as a “rocket” on social media and while that may have been slightly exaggerated, it was an excellent finish from Klich who at 34 years of age is showing no signs of slowing down.

They posted on X: “MATEUSZ KLICH OPENS HIS PRESEASON ACCOUNT IN AT. A rocket to put us up 2-0.”

Could Atlanta go challenge the likes of Inter Miami for MLS title?

Klich once said he’d like to return to Leeds to reach 200 appearances for the club, currently sitting on 195, will be hopeful his new side can push for the title. Their work in the transfer window will certainly help.

They have spent £17.75m on Latte Lath from Middlesbrough, the best part of £10m on Almiron and even more than that on Russian striker Aleksei Miranchuk from Serie A side Atalanta in the last few weeks.

The likes of Inter Miami are likely to be among the front runners but Atlanta have seriously improved their front line with Miranchuk, Almiron and Latte Lath as well as adding an orchestrator in Leeds icon Klich.