Atlanta United may have several key players available for what could be an important stretch, starting with Saturday’s MLS game against Charlotte at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The team will host Colorado on May 17 and play at Chicago on May 20.
Striker Giorgos Giakoumakis, who has scored five goals, and midfielder Franco Ibarra, who has made eight starts, resumed training Tuesday. Also rejoining the team (5-3-3) was midfielder Ozzie Alonso, who likely still is at least two weeks from game action, manager Gonzalo Pineda said.
Giokoumakis has missed the past three games because of a reoccurring hamstring issue. Atlanta United lost each of those games. It scored one goal in each game. Giakoumakis participated in most of Tuesday’s drills.
Atlanta United is 3-0-2 with 2.1 goals scored when Giakoumakis starts and is unbeaten, 4-0-3, when he plays. It averages 1.25 goals and is 1-3-0 when he doesn’t.
“Nobody wants to see guys injured and away from the team,” midfielder Amar Sejdic said. “Having guys like that, with strong presence both in the locker room and on the field, are important pieces to have for the team. So, yeah, we want the whole team to always be together.”
Ibarra went into concussion protocol May 3, which resulted in him not being available for selection in Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Miami. The team is 4-2-2 when Ibarra starts.
“We’re happy to have those guys back,” centerback JuanJo Purata said. “They’re part of the team. They are important guys.”
Fullback Caleb Wiley didn’t participate in Tuesday’s session because it was a recovery day for him. Wiley has started 10 of the team’s league matches and subbed on in the other. He has three goals and two assists. He is expected to rejoin training Wednesday.
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who suffered a torn MCL on April 8 at NYCFC, could be seen sprinting during exercises Tuesday. He was expected to miss at least 10 weeks. Pineda said Guzan is ahead of schedule. Opponents scored 10 goals and were shut out twice against Atlanta United in his seven starts. That total includes six scored by Columbus. Quentin Westberg has allowed four goals in three starts. Clement Diop has allowed four goals in two appearances, including one start.
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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 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
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com
Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com
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