Striker Josef Martinez and fullback Ronald Hernandez are scheduled to re-join Atlanta United for training this week because they don’t have to go through quarantine, having already been vaccinated against COVID-19, according to MLS rules.

Both players have been competing with Venezuela in the Copa America men’s soccer tournament in South America. The team was eliminated from the competition Sunday.

Martinez has two goals in seven appearances this season. Atlanta United has been shut out in its past two games, a 1-0 loss at NYCFC and a 0-0 draw with New York Red Bulls. Hernandez has yet to play for the team this season.

Atlanta United will play at Chicago on Saturday.

Midfielder Franco Ibarra, who left Sunday’s game with an injury, is scheduled to undergo additional tests before it can be determined when he will return. Manager Gabriel Heinze said after the game that he thought Ibarra suffered a hamstring injury.

Winger Jurgen Damm, who was ruled out of Sunday’s game very late, is week to week with what the team describes as a lower body injury.

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One of Gerardo Martino's (center) challenges in his return as Atlanta United manager will be to help Miguel Almirón (center left), who he managed in Atlanta in 2017-18, rediscover his form after a disappointing 2025 season. Almirón had six goals and seven assists in 31 games after returning to the Five Stripes. (Miguel Martinez/AJC 2017)

Credit: Miguel Martinez

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Travelers walk around the baggage claim in the South Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. Atlanta is among the airports where the FAA will reduce flights due to the shutdown, and airports are facing a shortage of air traffic controllers. 
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez