Atlanta United waived Chris McCann on Friday. The team declined to provide a reason, though he was competing for time in arguably the deepest position group within the team.

McCann, 31, made 45 appearances including 31 starts the previous two seasons. He had a guaranteed salary of $588,000 last season, according to the MLS Players Association.

The native of Ireland was a versatile player under previous manager Gerardo Martino, making starts at centerback or left fullback. However, the team signed free agents Brek Shea and Florentin Pogba, two more left-footed players, during the offseason, creating more competition on the left side of the formation. In that group also are George Bello, a Homegrown Signing, and Jose Hernandez, who seems likely to spend the season with Atlanta United 2.

Should McCann not be claimed by a team during the Waiver Claiming Period (start of the next business day until 5 p.m. the second business day), he will be eligible to be signed by any MLS team.

McCann was among the first players the team signed in 2016. He went on loan to Coventry City until Atlanta United opened training camp in Jan. 2017.

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