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Atlanta United likely not looking at defense with third DP

Atlanta United will play its first MLS game on March 5 at Bobby Dodd Stadium. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM
Atlanta United will play its first MLS game on March 5 at Bobby Dodd Stadium. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM
By
Jan 10, 2017

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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Doug Roberson covers the Atlanta United and Major League Soccer.

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