Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez may make roster for Columbus on Saturday

Josef Martinez is listed as questionable on Atlanta United’s injury report for Saturday’s game against Columbus at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but manager Gonzalo Pineda said Thursday that the striker may make the game-day roster.

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It would be the first roster Martinez has been included on since the team played at D.C. United on April 2. Martinez underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee a few days later. The team is 1-3-3 during Martinez’s absence.

This is the second consecutive week that the 29-year-old was listed as questionable for a game.

Pineda said the decision about Martinez will be made Friday.

“Just to see how he feels. The recovery after this week is kind of an overload for him because he hasn’t been involved in any weekly training sessions,” Pineda said. “So we just want to take a look at how he has recovered from from the last 30 days.”

The team will enter a two-week FIFA-mandated international break after Saturday’s game. It will resume play hosting Miami on June 19.

Martinez, the franchise’s all-time leading scorer with 104 goals, participated fully in sessions, including the post-training free kick contest some of the players typically participate in.

“It’s great to have him back in training,” Brooks Lennon said. “Seeing and having Josef Martinez available for you in any situation is a positive, so we’re really excited to have him back, and we can’t wait for him to be back at the Benz.”

Also listed as questionable on the report were fullback Caleb Wiley and midfielder Santiago Sosa. Neither participated in the team’s training sessions this week. Wiley was seen jogging around the training field Thursday. He hasn’t trained with his teammates this week.

Listed as out are Machop Chol (leg), Ozzie Alonso (torn ACL), Dylan Castanheira (Achilles), Brad Guzan (Achilles), Miles Robinson (Achilles) and Andrew Gutman (quad). Chol could also be seen jogging around the training field Thursday.

With Gutman’s injury, suffered in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Nashville, and Wiley listed as questionable, it is likely that Ronald Hernandez will start at left fullback, with Brooks Lennon on the right.

Columbus (3-5-4) has yet to post its injury report.

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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 Atlanta United 2, New England 2