Atlanta United’s Giorgos Giakoumakis will not be available for Saturday’s match against LAFC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Giakoumakis trained by himself Thursday, which is common for players returning from injury.
Giakoumakis remains at the center of a reported pursuit by Cruz Azul in Mexico. Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda said “Ask Carlos (Bocanegra)” when asked if the reports were accurate. Bocanegra is Atlanta United’s vice president. Questions have been submitted to him. The franchise policy is not to comment on reports of possible transfers, though.
Pineda didn’t seem concerned that Cruz Azul’s attempts may disrupt the focus of the team.
“Generally in life, there are many distractions for footballers,” Pineda said. “We have to stay focused on what matters the most, which is the present, today’s training session, the regen, the rehab, trying to be fit for the next match and in the next match to be performing at a high caliber. That’s the only thing that matters at the moment to the team. So there can be distractions. Yes, but I think the team is mature enough to to keep the eye on the prize, which is Saturday’s three points back at the Benz.”
Giakoumakis has struggled with various injuries since joining the club ahead of last season. He has made 36 appearances out of the team’s 47 matches, with 22 goals scored and five assists.
Pineda can go with either Jamal Thiare, Daniel Rios or Nic Firmino at striker. All three played in Tuesday’s win against Charleston in the U.S. Open Cup. Firmino played 120 minutes, making it unlikely he will start Saturday. Pineda typically uses a single striker, but did use Thiare and Rios as dual strikers in the second half against Nashville. Nashville used two centerbacks. LAFC likely also will use two.
“Overall, those two were putting a lot of effort, a lot of grinding, pressing, chasing, making runs in behind, trying to stretch the back line of Nashville,” Pineda said. “So it wasn’t an easy task. But I think they did pretty well. But also the thing is the first time they play together. So a little bit of confusion there, how they can work for each other and how they can create a space to each other.”
Pineda said attacking midfielder Thiago Almada is questionable. He rejoined the team’s training session for the first time Thursday since sustaining a calf injury at Cincinnati on May 15. He has three goals and an assist this season. His availability will be determined Friday. If he can’t play, Pineda could slide Saba Lobjanidze over from the right wing, or move Tristan Muyumba from central midfield slightly up the field.
Centerback Derrick Williams should be available after recovering from a calf injury. He rejoined the team’s training session Monday. His return is timely because Noah Cobb is out after sustaining an ankle injury in Saturday’s draw at Nashville. Pineda said Cobb is recovering well. Winger Tyler Wolff (knee) will miss Saturday’s game.
For more content about Atlanta United
Follow me on Twitter/X @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. If you have questions about the MLS team, you can email Doug Roberson at droberson@ajc.com, DM him on Twitter @dougrobersonajc or call 404-526-2527.
Stay up to date every day on breaking news, in-depth investigations, politics, sports, entertainment, food and dining and so much more by becoming a subscriber to the AJC. Go to AJC.com/start for a very special offer and unlock hundreds of original articles published daily on the refreshed AJC.com and the new AJC mobile app. Plus, access to our news alerts, subscriber-only events, AJC original shows, films and videos, newsletters, and so much more.
Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule
Feb. 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0
March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1
March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0
March 23 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 0
March 31 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 0
April 6 Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1
April 14 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2
April 20 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1
April 27 Atlanta United 1, Chicago 1
May 4 Minnesota 2, Atlanta United 1
May 7 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte Independence 0 in U.S. Open Cup
May 11 D.C. United 3, Atlanta United 2
May 15 Cincinnati 1, Atlanta United 0
May 18 Atlanta United 1, Nashville 1
May 21 Atlanta United 0 (5), Charleston 0 (4) in U.S. Open Cup
May 25 vs. LAFC, 7:30 p.m.
May 29 at Miami, 7:30 p.m.
June 2 vs Charlotte, 4:30 p.m., Fox
June 15 vs. Houston, 7:30 p.m.
June 19 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
June 22 at St. Louis, 8:30 p.m.
June 29 vs. Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
July 3 at New England, 7:30 p.m.
July 6 at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m.
July 13 at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
July 17 vs. NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.
July 20 vs. Columbus, 7:30 p.m.
July 26 vs. D.C. United in Leagues Cup, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 4 vs. Santos Laguna in Leagues Cup, 4 p.m.
Aug. 24 at L.A. Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
Aug. 31 at Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 vs. Nashville, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 vs. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 vs. Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 at Orlando, 6 p.m.
About the Author
