Atlanta United will need to replace two key players when it plays at Toronto on Saturday.
The players are Brad Guzan, who will miss at least 10 weeks because of a torn MCL, and defensive midfielder Franco Ibarra, who must serve a one-game suspension for a red card. The injury and the disciplinary action happened in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with NYCFC at Yankee Stadium.
An unfortunate bit of good news for Atlanta United (4-1-2) is that it experienced this situation many, many times last season with players all over the formation and depth chart.
So, manager Gonzalo Pineda and the remaining players know what’s needed.
“Just that next-man-up mentality,” midfielder Amar Sejdic said. “I think that’s just kind of the way to approach it. It’s the sport we’re in, and injuries happen all the time. So you kind of have to accept it. And yeah, kind of learn from it, then if it happens to you, you come back stronger.”
Though Ibarra has played very well as the shield in front of the back four, replacing Guzan’s leadership and communication abilities on the field will be the tougher challenge.
In an odd coincidence, Guzan sustained a ruptured Achilles in the seventh game of last season.
The goalkeeping the remainder of the season was uneven, to be nice. It was affected by another injury to Guzan’s backup, Dylan Castanheira, who also suffered a ruptured Achilles. Bobby Shuttleworth, the third-choice keeper, made six starts with a save percentage of 47.6. He retired during the middle of the season.
The front office was forced to bring in two goalkeepers, Rocco Rios Novo and Raul Gudino, neither of whom had MLS experience before last season.
Rios Novo made 15 starts with 27 goals allowed. He had a save percentage of 59.7, with two clean sheets. Gudino made six starts with a seven goals allowed, had a save percentage of 50, with two clean sheets.
Neither Rios Novo nor Gudino were retained.
Instead, during the offseason, Atlanta United signed league veterans Quentin Westberg, who likely will start at Toronto, and Clement Diop to back up Guzan. Combined, they have made 118 starts.
During part of Tuesday’s training session, Westberg could be seen and heard directing the backline during a small-sided scrimmage. Playing behind an oft-porous defense, he allowed 113 goals in 68 starts for Toronto with a save percentage above 60.
Diop often stays behind after sessions to work on his craft. He has allowed 87 goals in 50 starts for Miami, Montreal and the L.A. Galaxy.
“This is an opportunity for them to kind of help the team and, and just as it is for any player coming in off the bench or coming into the starting lineup from the bench or even an academy player,” Sejdic said. “It’s another opportunity to help the team. And that’s the way we kind of have to look at it.”
There are three options to replace Ibarra: veterans Santiago Sosa and Matheus Rossetto and rookie Ajani Fortune. Sosa is the likely choice because his natural position is as a “6.” Rossetto is better-suited as an “8,” or central midfielder. He has scored one goal in four appearances this season.
Rossetto said he can play with Sejdic, who had formed a good partnership with Ibarra, if Pineda decides that will be the lineup.
“I think I probably wouldn’t score as many goals, but that’s something I’ve talked about with Gonzalo is playing more of that box-to-box midfielder and be able to get into the attack and to provide goals and assist the other guys we have in the attack,” Rossetto said. “Of course, whatever the team needs comes first. So if I’m needed to play in that role, then then I can do it.”
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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 at Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m.
April 23 vs. Chicago Fire FC, 4:30 p.m., FS1
April 29 at Nashville SC, 1:30 p.m., Fox
May 6 at Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.
May 13 vs. Charlotte FC, 7:30 p.m.
May 17 vs. Colorado Rapids, 7:30 p.m.
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, 7:30 p.m., FS1
June 3 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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