Atlanta United will be missing 2 key players Saturday against Miami

Atlanta United forward Giorgos Giakoumakis #7 celebrates after a goal during the first half of the match against Chicago Fire FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on Sunday April 23, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta United)

By Doug Roberson

May 4, 2023

Striker Giorgos Giakoumakis and defensive midfielder Franco Ibarra will not be available for Saturday’s MLS game at Miami, Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda said Thursday.

Giakoumakis, tied for the team lead with five goals, is still dealing with a hamstring strain suffered in consecutive games against Toronto and in the next match against Chicago. He has been training by himself this week.

Ibarra, who has seven starts as part of eight appearances, entered concussion protocol Wednesday.

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Giakoumakis was replaced by Miguel Berry in the U.S. Open Cup loss to Memphis and by Machop Chol in a 3-1 loss at Nashville on Saturday. Neither Berry nor Chol put a shot on target during their starts. Erik Lopez isn’t available for selection because he sustained a high ankle sprain last week.

Pineda said both players are hard workers who play good defense, but need to make sure they are in target positions when the team has the ball in the opponent’s defensive third of the field.

Berry has taken two shots, neither on goal, in 341 minutes. Chol has taken two shots, both on target, with one goal in 127 minutes. His goal came when he subbed on as an attacking midfielder.

Pineda could move Luiz Araujo from the right wing to striker, which is something that was tried last year with little success when the team lacked several players.

Ibarra’s absence likely means that Santiago Sosa will make his second consecutive start, though Pineda could move Matheus Rossetto from central midfielder to defensive midfielder and start Amar Sejdic as the central midfielder.

Sejdic arguably is the team’s best midfielder at progressing the ball to the team’s attackers.

Though playing at home, Miami’s attack may not be very robust, which may result in Atlanta United being able to control possession, because it announced this week that midfielder Jean Mota is out for 4-6 months. That came after a season-ending injury to starter Gregore earlier this season.

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Atlanta United’s 2023 MLS schedule

Feb. 25 Atlanta United 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1

March 4 Atlanta United 1, Toronto FC 1

March 11 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte FC 0

March 18 Atlanta United 5, Portland 1

March 25 Columbus 6, Atlanta United 1

April 1 Atlanta United 1, New York Red Bulls 0

April 8 Atlanta United 1, New York City FC 1

April 15 Atlanta United 2, Toronto FC 2

April 23 Atlanta United 2, Chicago 1

April 29 Nashville SC 3, Atlanta United 1

May 6 at Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.