Atlanta United confident South American pipeline won’t dry up

Atlanta United centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez on Tuesday said that manager Gerardo Martino’s departure from the club at end the of the season won’t affect his future, nor should it negatively affect the team’s ability to attract young players from South America.

The club announced on Tuesday that Martino had declined to exercise the option on his contract. He will leave the club when its season ends. Atlanta United will play at Toronto on Sunday in the regular-season finale. If it win, or if New York Red Bulls don't win, the Five Stripes will win the Supporters' Shield. The shield would be its first trophy since beginning play in 2017.

Though playing under Martino, a legend in Argentina from his days as a player and then manager at Newell’s Old Boys, as well as managing the country’s national team, was part of the draw of him coming to MLS and Atlanta, Gonzalez Pirez said he’s happy in Atlanta.

“This is a process that’s now ended and we are all thankful to have Tata (Martino) as a coach,” Gonzalez Pirez said. “It’s a little bit of shame that he’s leaving because he’s one of the main creators of the project. We have to continue with same objective in mind.”

Gonzalez Pirez is one of seven players from South America on Atlanta United’s roster, all but one of whom was signed after Martino was introduced as manager in Sept. 2016. The only exception is Hector Villalba, an Argentine who was announced months before the team announced Martino.

The others are Josef Martinez and Jose Hernandez (Venezuela), Miguel Almiron (Paraguay) and Franco Escobar, Ezequiel Barco and Eric Remedi (Argentina). Most of have said Martino is among the reasons they agreed to sign with Atlanta United. Each of those players have become key contributors to helping it clinch a spot in next year’s CONCACAF Champions League. The team has reportedly signed another Argentine, Pity Martinez, for $15 million. The club hasn’t commented on the signing.

Martino seemed particularly close to Martinez, saying that he was sometimes fatherly to him, and Almiron, whom he promised to help get to play in Europe. Almiron, one of the best players in MLS, seems likely to be sold to a club in Europe for a hefty transfer fee in the January window.

“He’s one of the reasons why I came here, along with the project of the club,” Gonzalez Pirez said of Martino. “We will still continue with same motivation and the same will to try to finish the season and accomplish our goals.”

That pipeline shouldn’t dry up, Gonzalez Pirez said.

“I think Tata had a big influence with the name recognition that he has and for his achievements,” Gonzalez Pirez said.  “With or without Tata, Atlanta as a club is prepared to bring in players from South America or other countries. It’s a good stop in their careers.”

Club President Darren Eales said now that the team is established, it should make it easier to continue to sign players from all over the world, even without the draw that is Martino.

“With players that we recruited, Tata is part of jigsaw puzzle,” Eales said. “But no one is bigger than the club. We are all part of the puzzle that comes together when we are talking to players about bringing them to the club.”