Atlanta United is attempting to add a player who can contribute immediately, manager Frank de Boer said after Saturday's 2-0 win against Chicago.
Asked by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution if the team was going to take advantage of the roster spot created by waiving Anderson Asiedu on Friday, de Boer gave a one-word answer: "Yes."
The last time de Boer said the team was looking to add a player who could contribute immediately, Justin Meram was announced a few hours later.
It's unlikely Atlanta United will move that fast because the MLS transfer window doesn't open until July 7. Atlanta United also has two international slots open, so the player could come from anywhere.
De Boer wouldn’t share any other details, such as a position the team wants to strengthen.
It’s easy to make cases for or against the obvious possibilities.
Starting at left back, which has seen four players make a start this season, why add a fifth? George Bello, who started the season's first game before suffering an adductor (hip) injury, is supposed to return by the end of the summer. Brek Shea has done the job in his nine starts. Michael Parkhurst has stepped in and started there at least three times and Mikey Ambrose (knee) has returned from his injury.
A case could be made at right back because Franco Escobar is the only healthy true right back on the roster. He has made just eight starts because he also suffered a shoulder injury on the first day of training camp. But he has returned and is playing well with a goal and two assists.
There are two other stronger possibilities: central midfield and striker. Josef Martinez and Romario Williams will likely be gone for the Copa America and Gold Cup respectively, removing the team’s only two proven strikers in late June-early July. Gordon Wild has started playing striker again after the team experimented with playing him at fullback. Brandon Vazquez is mostly unknown to de Boer and his coaching staff because he has also been dealing with injuries most of the season. Hector Villalba could play striker but, you guessed it, he also is dealing with a knee injury.
And there is central midfield, where the team has a lot of players, but probably needs depth in case someone such as Darlington Nagbe suffers an injury. His skills in tight spaces are different than any other player on Atlanta United’s roster.
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