Neither Miguel Almiron nor Hector Villalba trained Thursday with Atlanta United at the team’s facility in Marietta.

Their absences don’t eliminate them from playing in Sunday’s important game against Chicago at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but it does make it less likely. Both players were at the training facility participating in their rehab programs.

Almiron, an attacking midfielder who has 12 goals and 14 assists this season, suffered a strained hamstring in the first half of the 2-1 win against New England two weeks ago.

Villalba, a right midfielder/striker who has seven goals and nine assists, suffered an undisclosed injury while with the Paraguay national team last week.

Atlanta United leads New York Red Bulls by one point in the race for the Supporters’ Shield. Each team has two games remaining. Any combination of six points won by the Five Stripes or lost by the Red Bulls will result in Atlanta United winning its first trophy.

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One of Gerardo Martino's (center) challenges in his return as Atlanta United manager will be to help Miguel Almirón (center left), who he managed in Atlanta in 2017-18, rediscover his form after a disappointing 2025 season. Almirón had six goals and seven assists in 31 games after returning to the Five Stripes. (Miguel Martinez/AJC 2017)

Credit: Miguel Martinez

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Travelers walk around the baggage claim in the South Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. Atlanta is among the airports where the FAA will reduce flights due to the shutdown, and airports are facing a shortage of air traffic controllers. 
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez