Adam Jahn understands why some Atlanta United supporters weren't happy when he recently signed to play for the club.
People don’t like being Ssssshhhhh’ddddd.
Jahn did that three years ago as a player for the Columbus Crew when his penalty kick knocked the Five Stripes out of their first playoff game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Jahn hit the shot, then put his index finger to his lips as he faced Atlanta United’s supporters section.
“I understand how people would react to it,” he said. “It was an in-the-moment thing.”
Credit: Jason Getz
Credit: Jason Getz
But, Jahn explains there is actually, you guessed it, more to the story.
His best friend had started a lifestyle brand named, “Don’t Miss, Don’t Matter.”
Its logo, between DM and DM lettering, is someone making the “ssshhhing” motion.
“I’m not making an excuse, but it was a kind of a shout-out to his brand as well,” Jahn said Tuesday while sitting in the lobby of a hotel near the team’s training center in Florida.
So, that wraps that up.
Jahn left Columbus after three seasons with six goals in 41 appearances and in 2019 joined Phoenix Rising in the USL, where he scored 17 goals in 31 appearances.
Atlanta United came calling around Christmas, according to Jahn. The team pitched him on needing a different type of striker to Josef Martinez, whom Jahn said is the best in MLS, one who may be useful should more direct play be needed. Jahn, who is 6-foot-3 and good in the air, thought about it. Knowing that the team had an alpha striker in Martinez, a player who rarely comes off the field and would probably limit his playing time, was a part of Jahn’s thinking.
“As a player and competitor, I want to push myself and play at the highest level,” he said. “Atlanta is a great club. In a short three years look at what they’ve done. Hopefully, I can contribute whatever the coach needs me to do.”
Jahn reasoned that Atlanta United will play in a lot of games this season because of the Champions League, U.S. Open Cup and 34 league games. The team played in 47 last season.
“If they are few and far between, I will take them, look forward to them and give them my all as I always do,” he said.
Manager Frank de Boer said Jahn brings a different skill set than Martinez, who is fast on the ground and can also outjump most centerbacks.
“He’s going to be an alternative to Josef,” de Boer said. “A different approach how we use him.”
Jahn said he’s fine being used as someone to knock down balls to Martinez, or out to crashing wingers.
“Maybe I’ll turn into an assist king,” he said.
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