Ahead of arguably its most challenging game of the season, Atlanta United is hopeful its attack will be at full strength.
Hector Villalba – who has missed time throughout the season – went through training Friday and if all goes as planned, should be available for Saturday’s bout with New York City FC.
“We’re going to see today,” Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino said Friday morning. “He’s got one more training session left, but we think he’ll be available.”
Villalba has dealt with multiple different injuries this season, weaving his way in and out of the lineup. He has been mending a hyperextended knee since before the game with New England Revolution on May 30. He hasn’t seen the field since.
The Argentian forward has struggled to find a rhythm in his second season with the club. After scoring 13 goals as a regular in the starting lineup a season ago, Villalba has seen both his minutes and his production drop-off.
Villalba has started six of the team’s 14 league games this season. A year ago, he started in all 34 league games.
His return, though, would help round out a strong group of attackers ahead of Saturday’s match with NYCFC, who are just two points behind the Five Stripes for tops in the Eastern Conference.
