Brooks Lennon, one of Atlanta United’s more consistent players the past two seasons, has healed from the bone bruise that affected him during the preseason and is ready to contribute to the MLS club.
Lennon said rest helped him overcome the injury, which is something he said he has been dealing with and which reoccurred while he was with the U.S. men’s national team in its camp.
Despite missing most of Atlanta United’s preseason camp, Lennon came on in the second half of last week’s 3-1 win against Sporting KC and made an immediate impact with a cross that if not for goalkeeper Tim Melia’s fingertip, would have been put in on goal by Josef Martinez. Lennon said he wants to increase his assist total this season. He had a career-high six last season and three the season before, his first with the team. He has 19 in 142 appearances in the league.
“I pride myself on being a guy that the coaching staff can count on to do his job and work hard for the team to get as many points as possible this year,” Lennon said. “So I’m looking to get my assists tally up this year and get my personal best and obviously any chance I get on goal, hopefully I can score some goals to help the team.”
Lennon’s opportunities to do those could come as soon as Saturday at Colorado.
Lennon was mentioned last week by manager Gonzalo Pineda as a candidate to replace at right wing the injured Luiz Araujo, who is expected to miss four weeks because of a hamstring injury.
Though he mostly has played either as a fullback or wingback for Atlanta United, Lennon played the position once last season. He said it’s one he is comfortable playing because he grew up playing there.
“It’s a little bit different than playing right back or right wingback,” he said. “You’re obviously starting at a higher position and moving in areas where you normally wouldn’t move if you were playing at right back. So it’s fine for me; I feel comfortable there. And wherever the coach wants me to play I’m willing to do.”
Pineda said he was pleased with Lennon’s results against Sporting KC. He mentioned the cross to Martinez as well as a one-on-one Lennon had with Melia.
“We know his quality in the final third the type of rounds he makes in behind,” Pineda said.
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Atlanta United’s 2022 MLS schedule
Feb. 27 Atlanta United 3, Sporting KC 1
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 10 at Charlotte, 1:30 p.m., ABC, ESPN Deportes
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
Aug. 6 vs. Seattle, 3 p.m., ABC
Aug. 13 at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. BSSO/BSSE
Aug. 17 vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
Aug. 21 at Columbus, 6 p.m., FS1
Aug. 28 vs. D.C. United, 4 p.m., UNIV
Aug. 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
