Atlanta United’s roster for the 2018 season was released by the league late on Friday ahead of Saturday’s season-opening game at Houston.
There were two big surprises: the loan of fullback Jose Hernandez, who was acquired in the offseason, to Atlanta United 2, and the omission of midfielder Oliver Shannon, who was selected in the second round of the MLS draft and impressed in the preseason. Shannon is working on securing a visa and should re-join the team when that is complete.
Hernandez, along with strikers Patrick Okonkwo and Gordon Wild are listed as "unavailable" on the team's roster on mlssoccer.com. Okonkwo, a Homegrown, is on loan with the Charleston Battery. Wild, selected in the second round of the SuperDraft, will also go on loan with the Battery when his visa is secured.
Hernandez being unavailable is interesting because he was one of two pure left fullbacks on the roster behind starter Greg Garza, who appeared in 26 of 34 regular season games last season. Hernandez appeared in a few preseason games. Hernandez can be recalled by Atlanta United, but it will require the team moving another player out of a roster spot. It could be done on a straight game-day swap, player for player, for example.
The international slots are occupied by Miguel Almiron (Paraguay), Ezequiel Barco (Argentina), Franco Escobar (Argentina), Jon Gallagher (Ireland), Julian Gressel (Germany), Josef Martinez (Venezuela) and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez (Argentina). Shannon (England) will also occupy an international slot. The team is working on securing a green card for Gonzalez Pirez and is believed to be working on one for Martinez.
Atlanta United has filled 29 of its 30 roster spots. That last slot will be occupied by Shannon.
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