Though he soon will leave to join Flamengo, Luiz Araujo remains committed to Atlanta United and will be included in the game-day rosters, manager Gonzalo Pineda said Friday.
Araujo’s transfer to the Brazilian powerhouse was first reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Thursday. Araujo will leave the MLS club following its June 24 match against the New York Red Bulls. Atlanta United will play at Chicago on Saturday.
“He told me that he told (technical director) Carlos (Bocanegra) that he is going to be here until he’s not, and he’s going to be part of the game same as before,” Pineda said. “And that’s how I’m gonna approach this situation.”
Araujo has three goals and two assists in 13 appearances this season. He played arguably his best match this season Wednesday in a 4-0 victory against Colorado. Araujo scored and put four shots on goal.
Pineda said he doesn’t know if Araujo asked for the transfer.
“Of course, he appreciates Atlanta, he really likes Atlanta,” Pineda said. “But now, he will be departing, and I’m happy for his future and going to a massive, massive club in Brazil. It’s very good for his career.”
Until Atlanta United purchases another player to possibly play right wing, Pineda said he has several options. The summer transfer window is scheduled to open July 5 and close Aug. 2.
“To lose a player like that, it’s complicated because he’s, he’s a very fast player,” midfielder Santiago Sosa said. “He’s very good one-by-one. So it’ll be an important loss. But on the other hand, we have other players who are capable of playing in that role in that position.”
Pineda said he has not been presented with any possible incoming transfers by Bocanegra, but he knows that the front office is looking at possibilities.
“We have constant communication, whether it’s Carlos, (data analyst) Arjun (Balaraman), the scouts, we have a very, very collaborative path to approach those situations,” Pineda said. “And I’m sure they will present something to me.”
Pineda said he’s been focusing on this stretch of three games in eight days when asked if he’s thought about if he would prefer a like-for-like positional replacement or to strengthen another position with a new signing.
If the team were to buy a winger, Pineda said the person should be someone who is goal-dangerous, fast, a good dribbler and understands tactics and positioning both when attacking or playing defense.
Atlanta United has two wingers, Marcelino Moreno and Edwin Mosquera, on loan with clubs in South America. Both loans are for the season, according to descriptions used by Atlanta United when the loans were announced.
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Atlanta United’s 2023 MLS schedule
Feb. 25 Atlanta United 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1
March 4 Atlanta United 1, Toronto FC 1
March 11 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte FC 0
March 18 Atlanta United 5, Portland 1
March 25 Columbus 6, Atlanta United 1
April 1 Atlanta United 1, New York Red Bulls 0
April 8 Atlanta United 1, New York City FC 1
April 15 Atlanta United 2, Toronto FC 2
April 23 Atlanta United 2, Chicago 1
April 29 Nashville SC 3, Atlanta United 1
May 6 Inter Miami CF 2, Atlanta United 1
May 13 Charlotte 3, Atlanta United 1
May 17 Atlanta United 4, Colorado 0
May 20 at Chicago Fire FC, 8:30 p.m.
May 27 at Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m.
May 31 vs. New England Revolution, 7 p.m., FS1
June 7 or Sept. 13 at Los Angeles FC, 10:30 p.m.
June 10 vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
June 21 vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m.
June 24 at New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
July 2 vs. Philadelphia Union, 4 p.m., Fox
July 8 at CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
July 12 at New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m.
July 15 vs. Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m., FS1
Aug. 20 at Seattle Sounders, 10:30 p.m.
Aug. 26 vs. Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 30 vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 2 at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 16 vs. Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 23 vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 7 vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 21 at FC Cincinnati, TBA
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