Three months wiser within MLS and five months wiser within Atlanta United, Luiz Araujo said he is preparing to show his true potential in the pending season.
The Brazilian arrived from Lille in August last season. He scored four goals with four assists in just 15 appearances with his new club while learning more about his teammates, his manager, Gonzalo Pineda, and the league each day.
“I need to score more goals,” he said. “I need more assists.”
And, as he did with Lille in France’s Ligue 1, he wants to win the league.
Araujo and Pineda said the first year in a new league and team are always the toughest. Still, he showed flashes of talent that could turn him into an MVP candidate should he stay healthy and team pick up points with the same pace as they did last season under interim Rob Valentino and then Pineda.
Araujo is a smooth dribbler, aggressive presser, and has an eye for putting shots on goal.
He also would disappear for stretches during games and needs to form better chemistry with the wingback or fullback on his side.
“I learned that the league is a very high level, very technical, very physical,” Araujo said. “I’m preparing and to be ready. It’s a it’s a big year for me and a big year for the team.”
Araujo said he has more confidence in his teammates and his manager, who has given him increased belief.
Now that first season is over, Pineda said he wants to see more from Araujo.
“Obviously, we’re going to expect Luis to raise his level,” Pineda said. " Everyone else is doing this, but I will be probably demanding more from the guys that can provide more to the team as well. So I want better from Luis as I do from every player in the team. But yes, he’s gonna carry on with a lot of responsibility in the final third to produce for the goal. I think he’s able to do it.”
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Atlanta United’s 2022 MLS schedule
Feb. 27 vs. Sporting KC, 3 p.m., FS1
March 5 at Colorado, 6 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
March 13 vs. Charlotte, 4:30 p.m., FS1
March 19 vs. Montreal, 4 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
April 2 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
April 9 at Charlotte, 3 p.m., ESPN
April 16 vs. Cincinnati, 6 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
April 24 at Miami, 1 p.m., ESPN
April 30 at Montreal, 4 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
May 7 vs. Chicago, 6 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
May 15 vs. New England, 2 p.m., ESPN
May 21 at Nashville, 7:30 p.m. FOX
May 28 vs. Columbus Crew, 7 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
June 19 vs Miami, 4 p.m., ESPN2
June 25 at Toronto, 7:30 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
June 30 at New York Red Bulls, 8 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
July 3 at NYCFC, 5 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
July 9 vs. Austin, 7 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
July 13 vs. Real Salt Lake, 7:30 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
July 17 vs. Orlando, 3 p.m., ABC
July 24 at L.A. Galaxy, 9:30 p.m., FS1
July 30 at Chicago, 5 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
August 6 vs. Seattle, 3 p.m., ABC
August 13 at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. BSSO/BSSE
August 17 vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
August 21 at Columbus, 6 p.m., FS1
August 28 vs. D.C. United, 4 p.m., UNIV
August 31 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 4 at Portland, 5:30 p.m., FOX
Sept. 10 vs. Toronto, 7:30 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
Sept. 14 at Orlando, 6 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
Sept 17 vs. Philadelphia, 3:30 p.m., UniMas
Oct. 1 at New England, 1 p.m., UniMas
Oct. 9 vs. NYCFC, TBD, BSSO/BSSE
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