This offseason, the team appears to have gone in a different direction.
The Beat signed four U.S. National team players, re-signing midfielder Carli Lloyd and adding defenders Rachel Buehler, Amy LePeilbet and Stephanie Cox.
Meanwhile, midfielder Yael Averbuch said she has agreed to terms with the team, though she has not yet signed.
"I think that the Beat have a good foundation every year, and they are just trying to build on that," Buehler said. "(Coach) James (Galanis) and (owner/general manager) Fitz (Johnson) are really building a quality team and hope to come together and get it done. I think they have really made a commitment to perform at the highest level, and we just have to put it out on the field."
With the Summer Olympics in London set to disrupt the Women’s Professional Soccer season from July 27-Aug. 12, national team players will be away from their pro teams.
But unlike last year, when the Women’s World Cup took place in Germany, that appears to be less of a concern.
"I think it’s good," Lloyd said. "I think what Fitz was trying to do was create a model for the league for sustainability, for it to last more than a year. I think it was a good approach. National team players were in and out. For our team, it kept players kind of close within the team.
"Having more national team players will be a great bunch of girls. The schedule will be a little different from last year. I think there will be a little bit more. I think it’s such a great sign knowing the league is going to go forward. It’s pivotal to continue long-term."
Buehler, LePeilbet and Lloyd all started during the World Cup and will be inserted into the Beat’s lineup in the central defense, and the midfield for Lloyd. Buehler, LePeilbet and Cox are already familiar with each other, having started for the Boston Breakers on their back line last year.
Last year, Boston allowed 24 goals, which was third-lowest in the six-team WPS, behind Western New York and Philadelphia.
"A couple of us have been playing together for years, so I think it will be an easy transition," LePeilbet said. "I’m not sure how James will want us to play, but we’ll know when we get there. We’re pretty quick to learn, and each one of us are talented players. I don’t think it should take us too long."
Though Buehler, LePeilbet and Lloyd will all likely be away from the Beat during the Olympics, though Averbuch and Cox will likely stay with the team.
For Averbuch, signing with the Beat gives her an opportunity to earn more playing time and make more of an impact than she did playing mostly in a reserve role for Western New York last season in its run to the WPS title.
"I played in the past for Sky Blue FC, then Western New York last season," she said. "I wasn’t unhappy with my season last year. It was a great franchise, but I was looking for a change. I spoke to coach Galanis, and I was really enthusiastic.
"The past three years, I’ve been part of some amazing teams, but I haven’t been a consistent starter for any of those teams. I’m looking to find a place that relies on me in a playing style that suits me as well. I’m hoping that Atlanta is that place for me."
Along with wanting to earn more playing time to show what she can do at the international level, Cox said that the chance to play at KSU Soccer Stadium and for Galanis were motivating factors to signing with Atlanta.
"I’ve been playing left back for my whole professional career, and have a lot of experience at the international level," she said. "I’ve played for a lot of different coaches. The opportunity to play for a new coach will hopefully challenge me and help me see what areas I can improve my game. I think the facilities are great and can only add to more time on the field advancing to the next level."
