Sports
A few things to know about Atlanta United’s Chris McCann
By Doug Roberson
July 6, 2016A few things to note about Chris McCann, who was just signed by Atlanta United:
- McCann never played against Carlos Bocanegra when he was in England playing for Fulham. The closest they came was in 2008 when Burnley defeated Fulham 1-0 in the League Cup. McCann was in the starting lineup for the Claret. Bocanegra had just left the Cottagers to play for Rennes in France. Burnley manager Owen Coyle had this to say about McCann after the upset:
“Chris McCann, I thought, was outstanding and I really believe that kid is good enough to play in the Premier League now. He’s just to keep showing it week in, week out. He had three or four goal-scoring opportunities on Tuesday night against some very good players and he’s only 20 years of age.
“Chris is a level-headed kid and he’s got aspirations of trying to be the best player he can be. And with that mind-set he’s always listens to advice and he’s always trying to improve.
“How much he develops is down to Chris but he’s showing a level of consistency and a maturity in his play and I honestly believe he can play at the top level.”
- He is on twitter at @cjmccann7
- He is on Instagram at chrismccann6
- He played for Home Farm in Ireland, moving through their youth system.
- He was born in Dublin, County Dublin.
- He captained Burnley during part of his stay with the club.
- At Burnley and Wigan Athletic, McCann played for Owen Coyle, who later went on to manage Houston in MLS until leaving the club earlier this year.
- Though he had repped Ireland's national teams at the youth level, he has yet to appear for the senior side.
- McCann will arrive in town next week.
- He has played some left back.
- He has suffered at least two knee injuries, but has recovered each time. It will bear watching how his knees will handle the turf of Mercedes-Benz Stadium and at the other stadiums that use a similar surface.
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