After scoring five goals to help Argentina qualify for this summer’s Olympics in Paris, next on Thiago Almada’s list of things to do is make the roster for this summer’s Copa America, which will start with La Albiceleste playing at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Argentina will open South America’s tournament against either Canada or Trinidad and Tobago on June 20.
“It’s a goal to be on the field in that game, and if not, I’ll be there cheering,” he said.
Almada, who also was part of the Argentina squad that won the 2022 World Cup, said helping his country qualify for the Olympics was important to him. The Summer Games are scheduled to start July 26 and end Aug. 11.
Because Almada was focused on the Olympics, he said he didn’t pay much attention to the January transfer window, in which some thought he may be sold to a club in Europe.
Almada said his agent did have some discussions, but he’s happy to be back with Atlanta United, with which he hopes to win more trophies. He reiterated he wants to move to Europe eventually.
“I feel good and with a lot of motivation,” he said. “Last season we weren’t able to reach our goals. So hopefully this season we can.”
Though he missed Atlanta United’s preseason because of the Olympics campaign, Almada started the season-opening match Saturday at Columbus because ... well, he’s Almada, who was named the MLS Young Player of the Year last season after scoring 11 goals with 19 assists.
Almada looked slightly out of sync with his teammates in the first half, but found a groove with Giorgos Giakoumakis, Saba Lobjanidze and Xande Silva in the second half. Almada took two shots, one of which was deflected. Had it not bounced off a Columbus defender, it was arrowing into the top corner to tie the score at 1-1.
After that loss, manager Gonzalo Pineda said the team would use this early bye week to help reintegrate Almada into the squad. Atlanta United will host New England on March 9 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Almada said he’s learning new things every day in a hope to improve this season.
“It’s tough training all week and not having a game on the weekend,” Almada said. “But we’re adapting to it well, we’ll continue to train and just be ready.”
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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule
Feb. 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0
March 9 vs. New England, 7:30 p.m.
March 17 vs. Orlando, 7 p.m., FS1
March 23 at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
March 31 vs. Chicago, 3:30 p.m., FOX
April 6 at NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.
April 14 vs. Philadelphia, 2:30 p.m., FOX
April 20 vs. Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
April 27 at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
May 4 vs. Minnesota, 7:30 p.m.
May 11 vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
May 15 at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
May 18 at Nashville, 1:30 p.m.
May 25 vs. LAFC, 7:30 p.m.
May 29 at Miami, 7:30 p.m.
June 2 vs Charlotte, 4:30 p.m., FOX
June 15 vs. Houston, 7:30 p.m.
June 19 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
June 22 at St. Louis, 8:30 p.m.
June 29 vs. Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
July 3 at New England, 7:30 p.m.
July 6 at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m.
July 13 at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
July 17 vs. NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.
July 20 vs. Columbus, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 24 at L.A. Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
Aug. 31 at Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 vs. Nashville, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 vs. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 vs. Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 at Orlando, 6 p.m.
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