Alex De John ready to be next player up for Atlanta United

Alex De John appears to be the next player up at centerback for Atlanta United after the season-ending injury to Miles Robinson.

Robinson underwent surgery Monday to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in Saturday’s 4-1 win against Chicago. Atlanta United will play at Nashville on Wednesday in the U.S. Open Cup.

ExploreAtlanta United’s Miles Robinson likely out for rest of MLS season

De John replaced Robinson on Saturday. He and Alan Franco are the only two remaining healthy centerbacks with MLS experience. George Campbell didn’t train Monday but may do so Tuesday, according to manager Gonzalo Pineda, making it unlikely he will be available Wednesday. The team hosts New England on Sunday when league play resumes.

“Injuries are part of the sports,” De John said. “Things happen to you, and I’ve got to be ready.”

De John signed with the club before the 2021 season after spending the previous two seasons with Orlando.

His 72 minutes Saturday were his first in a league game this season, which Pineda said made him proud because De John was prepared and executed. He and Franco formed a good partnership.

ExploreRonaldo Cisneros filling void for Atlanta United at striker

“I think (Saturday) went well,” De John said. “The language barrier is going to be a little difficult. But, you know, football is universal. So there’s other ways to communicate, and it’s going to be good.”

De John said he doesn’t think Robinson’s loss will affect what Atlanta United attempts to do tactically. Pineda has stressed he knows only one way to manage. The team is going to continue to try to dominate possession to create quality scoring chances. Its four goals against Chicago were a season high.

De John described Robinson’s injury as “devastating” personally because of his performances and potential to start for the U.S. in the World Cup in November.

But it was a good sign for the club that it bounced back to secure the victory despite losing a fourth player this season to a season-ending injury. The others were midfielder Ozzie Alonso (ACL) and goalkeepers Brad Guzan and Dylan Castanheira.

“It’s expensive,” De John said. “Every win is important; every game is important. Every point in the league is important. So you don’t really know until the end of the year, but we set out every single game and now I feel like we’ve set a level that we have dictated with all the injuries, and we’ve got to maintain that level and keep raising it even a bit more.”

For more content about Atlanta United

Follow me on Twitter @DougRobersonAJC

On Facebook at Atlanta United News Now

On Instagram at DouglasDavidRoberson

Atlanta United coverage on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Southern Fried Soccer podcast can be found

Apple - https://apple.co/3ISD6Ve

Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3L8TN0C

Google podcasts - https://bit.ly/32KlZW3

If you are listening to us for the first time, please follow us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcast ... and if you like what you hear, please give us a good rating so we can grow the show.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a special offer for Atlanta United supporters and listeners to this podcast. If you subscribe today, you will not only get unlimited digital access to the AJC and the Sunday paper for $2.30 a week but we are also throwing in a special limited-edition Atlanta United and Atlanta Journal-Constitution scarf. Sign up now at subscribe.ajc.com/utdscarf.

Atlanta United’s 2022 MLS schedule

Feb. 27 Atlanta United 3, Sporting KC 1

March 5 Colorado 3, Atlanta United 0

March 13 Atlanta United 2, Charlotte 1

March 19 Atlanta United 3, Montreal 3

April 2 Atlanta United 1, D.C. United 0

April 10 Charlotte 1, Atlanta United 0

April 16 Atlanta United 0, Cincinnati 0

April 24 Miami 2, Atlanta United 1

April 30 Montreal 2, Atlanta United 1

May 7 Atlanta United 4, Chicago 1

May 15 vs. New England, 1:30 p.m., ESPN