This is another in a series in which AJC reporter Doug Roberson will begin to look at Atlanta United’s possible player signings ahead of their 2017 inaugural season in MLS. Some potential signings, like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, may be considered fanciful, and rightfully so. Some may be so practical as to be obvious.
You can follow Roberson for news about Atlanta United on twitter @DougRobersonAJC, and bookmark the paper's Atlanta United page.
Here is the series so far:
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Ventura Alvarado, defender
Formerly of Club America
Alvarado has made 13 appearances for the U.S. men’s national team and 37 for the Eagles in Liga MX. He recently said he wants to move to MLS and turned down a move from Club America to Tigres, perhaps a sign that he is serious about heading north.
Pros: Where to start? He's just 23 years old, he's 6-feet-tall, he moves well and, of course, he has ties to Mexico that may result in more ticket sales and interest in the team from that consumer segment in Atlanta.
More importantly, he has won trophies with America and played in big games. He brings an experience and a skill that would benefit any MLS team.
Lastly there is this: Central defenders rarely make what their teammates do in salary, so he wouldn’t be too expensive.
Two solid central defenders that can consistently be paired together are worth their weight in gold, as the U.S. is learning in the Centenario with the consistent pairing of John Brooks and Geoff Cameron.
President Darren Eales said Atlanta United will be competitive in its first year. A coach that doesn’t have to worry about trying to put together a puzzle of defenders can pay more attention to other things. Alvarado would help.
Cons: This is where things get interesting. Alvarado lost his job at America, making just 14 appearances this season. He made 23 the previous season. He didn't complain, telling SI's Brian Straus in April:
“It’s kind of like I’m frustrated, but I’m comfortable,” Alvarado said. “I want to play, but I’m not mad at the coaches or with the players if I don’t play. It’s América. There are great players. It’s real hard to play here and when young players come up into it, it’s really hard.”
There’s no shame in losing a spot at a place like America, which is one of the most successful teams in Mexico. His attitude toward that competition seems healthy.
He made the U.S. 40-man roster for the Centenario, but didn’t make the cut to the 23-man roster. When he has played for the U.S. he has looked nervous, particularly as a starter in last year’s disastrous Gold Cup. That’s normal considering he had rarely played with any of the defenders around him, goalkeeper behind him or midfielders ahead of him.
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