At first glance, seeing Jamal Thiaré heading to Columbus might feel a little uncomfortable for Atlanta United fans.
Anytime you trade a forward — especially one who’s produced goals — there’s a natural reaction of, “Are we getting worse?” But when you step back and look at the bigger picture, this move makes a lot of sense for Atlanta.
Let’s break it down from the Five Stripes’ perspective — and why this deal quietly helps set the club up better moving forward.
The Deal, Straight Up
The move is simple:
- Atlanta United FC receive:
Up to $300,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM)
($200K in 2026 GAM + up to $100K conditional GAM in 2027) - Columbus Crew receive:
Jamal Thiaré
Thiaré, 32, heads to Columbus after scoring 14 goals and 5 assists in 71 appearances across all competitions since joining Atlanta in August 2023 from Le Havre.
Why This Makes Sense for Atlanta United
From an Atlanta United fan’s point of view, this trade is about roster clarity, flexibility, and timing.
First, the striker room has changed.
Atlanta’s No. 9 group is now clearly built around Emmanuel Latte Lath. He’s the guy. The club’s attacking structure, pressing identity, and chance creation are aligned around him.
Thiaré brought a different profile — physical, experienced, and useful in certain matchups — but he was no longer central to Atlanta’s long-term plan. Moving him now allows the club to fully commit to its attacking identity instead of splitting minutes and roles.
GAM = Flexibility (And Atlanta Needs It)
This is the part that matters most.
General Allocation Money isn’t flashy, but it’s incredibly valuable in MLS. That up to $300K in GAM gives Atlanta United options:
- Cap relief to help retain key contributors
- Flexibility to add depth in summer windows
- Room to maneuver in future trades
- Insurance if injuries hit key positions
Atlanta has learned the hard way that flexibility wins seasons in MLS. This move adds breathing room without weakening the core of the team.
Respect Where It’s Due to Thiaré
Let’s be clear — this isn’t a knock on Thiaré.
He did his job in Atlanta. He scored goals, brought experience, and gave the team a different look off the bench or in rotation. That matters.
But at 32 years old, his value to Atlanta was always going to be short-term, while his trade value could still help shape the roster going forward. This is exactly the type of moment MLS front offices have to take advantage of.
Why Columbus Wanted Him — And Why That’s Okay
From Columbus’ side, the move makes sense too.
With a striker group led by Wessam Abou Ali, Thiaré gives them depth, experience, and a physical option as they begin their first season under head coach Henrik Rydström.
But what works for Columbus doesn’t have to be what’s best for Atlanta — and that’s okay.
The Bigger Picture for Atlanta United
This trade signals something important for Atlanta United fans:
- The club knows who its core attackers are
- They’re prioritizing flexibility over redundancy
- They’re planning ahead, not just reacting
Atlanta didn’t lose a cornerstone piece. They converted a rotation striker into assets that can help across the roster.
In MLS, that’s smart business.
Final Thoughts
From an Atlanta United fan’s perspective, this deal is less about what the team gave up — and more about what it gained.
Jamal Thiaré gave Atlanta solid minutes and important goals, and he leaves with respect. But the GAM return, the clear striker hierarchy, and the roster flexibility this move creates are all wins for the Five Stripes.
Sometimes the best moves aren’t the loudest ones.
This was one of those moves.
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