Here is Atlanta United’s roster as the MLS season re-starts with the tournament in Orlando. Atlanta United (2-0-0) will play New York Red Bulls at 8 p.m. Saturday. It will be broadcast on FOX and/or you can follow Doug Roberson’s coverage on twitter @DougRobersonAJC.
(all stats for league games only)
MO ADAMS
No.: 29
Position: Wingback, defensive midfielder
How acquired: Trade with Chicago in 2019
Twitter: @_moadams
Instagram: _moadams
2019 appearances/starts: 4/1
2019 key stats: One goal
2020 appearances/starts: 0/0
2020 outlook: Likely a depth piece at wingback and defensive midfielder, though he did start at right fullback in the Champions League opening draw at Motagua.
EZEQUIEL BARCO
No.: 8
Position: Midfielder
How acquired: Bought from Independiente in 2018
Twitter: N/A
Instagram: barco.ezequiel
2019 appearances/starts: 15/11
2019 key stats: Four goals and three assists
2020 appearances/starts: 2/2
2020 outlook: A big season is expected from the Designated Player, who has yet to consistently show his quality because of inexperience in his first season and injuries in his second. Has most of the tools to be a great player for the team. Scored two goals in the preseason and has two more in the first two games.
GEORGE BELLO
No.: 21
Position: Fullback/ wingback
How acquired: Homegrown signing ahead of 2018 season
Twitter: @_georgebello
Instagram: _georgebello
2019 appearances/starts: 0/0
2019 key stats: 12 appearances with Atlanta United 2
2020 appearances/starts: 0/0
2020 outlook: He was supposed to be last year's starter until injuries curtailed that, so this is an important season for him. He suffered another injury, this time a concussion, this preseason that forced him to miss part of the beginning of the season. He's fast, intelligent, good with the ball and has gotten much stronger. Expect at least 15 starts.
GEORGE CAMPBELL
No.: 32 Position: Centerback
How acquired: Homegrown signing ahead of 2020 season
Twitter: @GeorgeC1927
Instagram: _georgecampbell_
2019 appearances/starts: 0/0
2019 key stats: 22 appearances with Atlanta United 2
2020 appearances/starts: 1/0
2020 outlook: He likely won't get many starts with Atlanta United in league games, but may see time at end of games and in early U.S. Open Cup games. Big, fast and good with the ball at his feet. He has all the tools to form a great partnership with Miles Robinson in 2021.
EDGAR CASTILLO
No.: 19
Position: Fullback/wingback
How acquired: Signed in January
Twitter: N/A
Instagram: N/A
2019 appearances/starts: 20/20 with New England
2020 appearances/starts: 0/0
2020 outlook: An attacking fullback with vast experience in LIGA MX that should help this season, he's expected to split time with Bello. He has an impressive 10 assists in 48 appearances in MLS with Colorado and New England. He missed part of the preseason and early games because of a rib injury sustained in the preseason.
MANUEL CASTRO
No: 15
Position: Winger
How acquired: Loan with option to buy from Estudiantes in Argentina
Twitter: N/A
Instagram: N/A
2019 appearances/starts: N/A
2019 key stats: Fourteen starts with one goal for Estudiantes
2020 appearances/starts: 0/0
2020 outlook: Expected to compete at right wingback with Brooks Lennon and as a right midfielder when the team plays with four at the back.
JURGEN DAMM
No.: 22
Position: Attacking winger
How acquired: Signed as a free agent after his contract with Tigres expired.
Twitter: @jurgendammr25
Instagram: jurgendammr25
2019 appearances/starts: N/A
2019 key stats: 12 appearances in the LIGA MX Apertura with 1 assist; 1 appearance in the Clausura.
2020 appearances/starts: N/A
2020 outlook: Damm will be eligible to play for the team in August and figures to move into the starting lineup. Where is the biggest question. He's one of the fastest players in the world but that speed hasn't always resulted in identifiable stats with nine goals and 20 assists in 268 appearances in Mexico.
FRANCO ESCOBAR
No.: 2
Position: Centerback/fullback/ wingback
How acquired: Bought from Newell's Old Boys in 2017
Twitter: @ francoescobar
Instagram: franco.n.escobar
2019 appearances/starts: 25/22
2019 key stats: Two goals and three assists in regular season and playoffs
2020 appearances/starts: 1/1
2020 outlook: Though he has said he thinks of himself as a centerback, he has shone as a wingback for the team, where his speed is best used. His versatility makes him perfect for Frank de Boer because he can play in a three-man centerback line or as a fullback or wingback without needing a sub.
JON GALLAGHER
No.: 26
Position: Forward/wingback.
How acquired: Selected in 2018 draft.
Twitter: @JonGallagher96
Instagram: jongallagher
2019 appearances/starts: 0/0
2019 key stats: 31 appearances while on loan with Aberdeen in Scotland.
2020 appearances/starts: 0/0
2020 outlook: Recalled from his loan with Aberdeen in Scotland, he will likely return to Atlanta United 2.
BRAD GUZAN
No.: 1
Position: Goalkeeper
How acquired: Signed on a free transfer from Middlesbrough in England
Twitter: @bguzan
Instagram: bguzan
2019 appearances/starts: 34/34
2019 key stats: Tied for the league lead with 14 shutouts
2020 appearances/starts: 2/2
2020 outlook: He will again be the man in goal for the team.
EMERSON HYNDMAN
No.: 20
Position: Defensive midfielder, center midfielder, attacking midfielder
How acquired: Loan-to-buy purchase from Bournemouth in England completed in Dec. 2019
Twitter: @emersonhyndman
Instagram: ehyndman_96
2019 appearances/starts: 15/10
2019 key stats: One goal and three assists in league games
2020 appearances/starts: 2/2
2020 outlook: He wasn't bought and given a multi-year contract to be a pool player. Hyndman likely will start somewhere in the central midfield. He makes intelligent runs into the penalty box during attacks and is sound positionally on defense.
ADAM JAHN
No.: 14
Position: Striker
How acquired: Bought from Phoenix Rising in USL in January
Twitter: @AdamJahn14
Instagram: adamjahn14
2019 appearances/starts: 33 appearances with Phoenix
2019 key stats: 17 goals
2020 appearances/starts: 2/1
2020 outlook: Originally, I wrote that he won't start many league games, but could be seen often late in games, particularly if Atlanta United is trailing because he is 6-foot-3 and is a good target for crosses and set pieces. Now, because of the injury to Josef Martinez, I think he will start at least 10 games.
ALEC KANN
No.: 25
Position: Goalkeeper
How acquired: Selected in 2016 expansion draft
Twitter: @akann90
Instagram: aleckann
2019 appearances/Starts: 0/0
2019 key stats: Four starts with Atlanta United 2
2020 appearances/starts: 0/0
2020 outlook: Likely to start U.S. Open Cup matches.
JEFF LARENTOWICZ
No.: 18
Position: Defensive midfielder/ centerback
How acquired: Signed as a free agent in December 2019
Twitter: N/A
Instagram: N/A
2019 appearances/starts: 27/15
2019 key stats: Six shutouts among his 15 starts
2020 appearances/starts: 2/0
2020 outlook: Fifteen starts in league games seems another reasonable expectation. Very sound at winning first and second balls, and anticipating and filling in gaps in the formation.
BROOKS LENNON
No.: 11
Position: Fullback/wingback/wide midfielder
Age: 22
How acquired: Trade with Real Salt Lake in Dec. 2019
Twitter: @brookslennon
Instagram: brookslennon
2019 appearances/starts: 28/16
2019 key stats: One assist with Real Salt Lake
2020 appearances/starts: 2/2
2020 outlook: Lennon was wanted by Atlanta United for some time. He's fast on the wings, but needs to work on his crosses.
JOSEF MARTINEZ
No.: 7
Position: Striker
How acquired: Loan-to-buy purchase from Torino competed in February 2017. Last season Martinez was given a new contract.
Twitter: @ JosefMartinez17
Instagram: josefmartinez17
2019 appearances/Starts: 29/29
2019 key stats: 27 goals, four assists in league games
2020 appearances/starts: 1/1
2020 outlook: He is out for the season with an ACL injury in his right knee sustained in the season-opening win against Nashville.
PITY MARTINEZ
No.: 10
Position: Midfielder/Striker
How acquired: Bought from River Plate in January 2019
Twitter: N/A
Instagram: pity_martinez
2019 appearances/starts: 32/26
2019 key stats: Five goals and nine assists
2020 appearances/starts: 2/2
2020 outlook: He wants to play in Europe. Atlanta United likely won't sell him if it doesn't make a profit. So, Martinez, who will turn 27 this summer, needs to play well. As if that's not enough pressure, he may need to have an excellent first few months before the summer transfer window opens. He's more than capable. He showed his quality in the final one-third of last season after admitting that he felt pressure early last year. At least 10 goals and 10 assists seems probable.
FERNANDO MEZA
No.: 6
Position: Centerback
How acquired: Bought from Necaxa and Tijuana in January
Twitter: N/A
Instagram: fermeza6
2019 appearances/starts: NA
2019 key stats: Fifteen starts with Necaxa in LIGA MX Apertura
2020 appearances/starts: 2/2
2020 outlook: Atlanta United likes that Meza is good with the ball at his feet and he has shown an ability to win aerial duals. Vice President Carlos Bocanegra compared him with former Atlanta United captain Michael Parkhurst.
BRENDAN MOORE
No.: 13
Position: Goalkeeper
How acquired: Signed in Jan. 2019
Twitter: @ Brendan_ Moore24
Instagram: itsbrenmoore
2019 appearances/starts: 0/0
2019 key stats: Nine starts with Atlanta United 2 last season
2020 appearances/starts: 0/0
2020 outlook: Likely to continue earning starts with Atlanta United 2.
JAKE MULRANEY
No.: 23
Position: Winger
How acquired: Bought from Hearts in Scotland in January
Twitter: N/A
Instagram: jake_mulraney
2019 appearances/starts: N/A
2019 key stats: 17 starts in Scottish Premiership with one goal and two assists
2020 appearances/starts: 2/2
2020 outlook: Likely a spot starter and depth piece. He is very fast and can put in good crosses.
ERIC REMEDI
No.: 5
Position: Defensive midfielder
How acquired: Bought from Banfield in Argentina in June 2018
Twitter: @ Eric_Remedi
Instagram: eric_remedi
2019 appearances/starts: 28/25
2019 key stats: 10 shutouts in his starts
2020 appearances/starts: 2/2
2020 outlook: Larentowicz moved into the starting role near the end of the 2019 season, but Remedi moved back into the starting role this season. The two will likely split time as starters.
MILES ROBINSON
No.: 12
Position: Centerback
How acquired: Selected with No. 2 pick in 2017 draft
Twitter: @_ milesrobinson
Instagram: _milesrobinson_
2019 appearances/starts: 34/33
2019 key stats: Finished top five in MLS Defender of the Year voting in helping Atlanta United post a goal difference of 15
2020 appearances/starts: 0/0
2020 outlook: Has yet to play this season because of a leg injury sustained in the final preseason game. He's healthy now. Last year was his first as a full-time starter, and he became arguably the best one-on-one defender in MLS. Another season like that, and it seems likely that clubs in Mexico and Europe may come calling.
MATHEUS ROSSETTO
No.: 9
Position: Midfielder
Twitter: N/A
Instagram: Rossetto
2019 appearances/starts: N/A
2019 key stats: Made five appearances for his previous club in Brazil, Atletico Paranaense, as part of 84 since 2015. He finished with five goals and five assists
2020 appearances/starts: 1/0
2020 outlook: Remains to be seen where he will play when the team plays three at the back. With four, he likely will be a midfielder. Manager Frank de Boer said he thinks he can play anywhere in central midfield. He says he is comfortable as a central midfielder or attacking midfielder. Lots of skill and potential.
ANTON WALKES
No.: 4
Position: Centerback/ fullback/wingback
How acquired: Bought from Portsmouth in England's League One
Twitter: @AntonWalkes
Instagram: antonwalkes
2019 key stats: 11 starts with Portsmouth in 2019-20 season
2020 appearances/starts: 2/2
2020 outlook: Walkes can play as a centerback, fullback or wingback, making him very valuable. He's good in the air and an aggressive tackler.
JJ WILLIAMS
No: 24
Position: Striker
How acquired: Signed after being on loan from Columbus with Birmingham in USL.
Twitter: @JJ23Williams
Instagram: jj23williams
2019 key stats: N/A
2020 appearances/starts: 0/0
2020 outlook: Likely to earn most of his time with Atlanta United 2.
TYLER WOLFF
No.: 28
Position: Forward
How acquired: Signed as a homegrown
Twitter: N/A
Instagram: _tylerwolff28_
2019 key stats: N/A
2020 appearances/starts: 0/0
2020 outlook: The 17-year-old is fast and has a nose for goal, but will likely earn most of his starts with Atlanta United 2.
LAURENCE WYKE
No: 27
Position: Centerback
How acquired: Signed from Atlanta United 2.
Twitter: @LaurenceWyke_96
Instagram: laurencewyke
2019 key stats: 29 appearances with 26 starts for Atlanta United 2 last season.
2020 appearances/starts: 2/1
2020 outlook: Likely will spend most of the season starting for Atlanta United 2 with spot starts for the senior team. Can pick out a pass.
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