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Atlanta United won’t rush Josef Martinez back

Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez grabs the head of Gonzalo Martinez while celebrating his goal with him during the second half of a soccer match in the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Kennesaw, Ga. (John Amis, Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Credit: John Amis

Credit: John Amis

Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez grabs the head of Gonzalo Martinez while celebrating his goal with him during the second half of a soccer match in the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Kennesaw, Ga. (John Amis, Atlanta Journal Constitution)
By
March 30, 2020

Atlanta United striker Josef Martinez's return from ACL surgery won't be rushed, club president Darren Eales said Monday.

“It’s not about how quickly we get him back, it’s getting him back at 100%,” Eales said. “Knowing Josef it’ll be 110%.”

Martinez underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL on his right knee two weeks ago. The injury was sustained in the season-opening game at Nashville.

Eales said he’s pleased with how the surgery went.

Martinez returned to Atlanta and is rehabilitating with the club's doctors and medical staff at the team's training ground in Marietta. For athletes, rehab can take up to a year.

“He has single-minded focus and wants to get back 100%,” Eales said.

The MLS season is suspended, following guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to limit interactions between large groups of people because of the coronavirus pandemic. The league has played two of its 34 rounds.

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Doug Roberson covers the Atlanta United and Major League Soccer.

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