Atlanta United likely not looking at defense with third DP

Atlanta United President Darren Eales said Tuesday that the team is unlikely to use its third and last Designated Player spot on a defender.

A report on MLSsoccer.com earlier this week had Atlanta United targeting a defender with its final DP slot. The first two DPs signed by the team are Argentinian forward Hector Villalba and Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almiron.

The team has signed five defenders: Mikey Ambrose, Greg Garza, Mark Bloom, Zach Loyd and Michael Parkhurst.

“We have some irons in the fire,” Eales said. “We have a DP slot available and we will be looking to fill that, but we won’t be focusing on a defender.”

Atlanta United officials are in Carson, Calif. this week for the combine and Friday’s SuperDraft. The team holds the Nos. 2 and 8 picks in the first round.

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