Atlanta United: Andres Guardado interested in playing in MLS

Mexican soccer star Andres Guardado said he knew nothing of an ESPN report linking him to a move to Atlanta United, but would be interested in playing in MLS.

“It’s a league that’s growing a lot,” he said through a translator. “They are hiring more and more younger players of higher quality and that enhances the quality of the league.”

“We will just wait and see what happens. I didn’t know about the interest, but it’s always an honor to be considered.”

Atlanta United president Darren Eales didn’t comment on the report. Team officials have repeatedly said that they won’t comment on any players that they haven’t signed.

Guardado scored the winning goal in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Paraguay at the Georgia Dome.

Signing the midfielder would potentially be a coup for any MLS team.

He is just 29 years old, meaning he has several quality years to give;
He is the vice captain of his club team, PSV Eindhoven in Holland, and captain of his national team, for which he has made more than 120 appearances.
He is a box-to-box midfielder who would start to fufill Eales' desire to create a team that's strong up the middle.

Atlanta United will begin play in MLS in 2017 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

A potential move would come with some risk because MLS teams have a mixed history with signing international standouts to Designated Player contracts.

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