Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez now kicking a soccer ball

Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda shared some encouraging news Friday regarding two of the MLS team’s many injured players.

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First, Josef Martinez did some dribbling and shooting exercises Friday and could rejoin the team’s training in 2-3 weeks. It’s believed to be the first time that he has done work with the ball since undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee April 6 in Pittsburgh. The team announced then that Martinez was expected to be out 6-8 weeks. The team is 1-3-1 since he underwent surgery.

“He’s a very important player for us,” Pineda said. “Obviously, seeing him is striking like that, many times the ball, is just good.”

Pineda said Martinez was going to do a double session Friday.

“He’s been responding very well after the surgery,” Pineda said. “So we are very happy with his progress.”

Martinez did some slow dribbling around cones before shooting drills, hitting the ball first with his left foot a few times and then with his right a few times.

Martinez has two goals in five appearances this season. He has a franchise-leading 91 goals in MLS in 113 appearances and 104 goals in 104 appearances across all competitions.

Ronaldo Cisneros, on loan from Chivas, has become the starting striker after Pineda also tried Jackson Conway and Dom Dwyer in that role. Cisneros has a team-leading four goals in four appearances.

Second, left fullback Andrew Gutman, who suffered a right shoulder injury in the second half of Wednesday’s 3-2 loss at Nashville in the U.S. Open Cup, didn’t suffer a fracture. Instead, Pineda said it was a joint injury. Gutman is week to week. Pineda said Gutman’s return depends upon his pain tolerance. Gutman, 25, has 10 appearances this season. Caleb Wiley, who also can play left back, is recovering from an injury, but was expected to do some field work Friday afternoon.

If neither player is available for Sunday’s game against New England, it’s likely that Ronald Hernandez will play the position. He switched from the right to the left Wednesday.

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