Atlanta United’s Hector Villalba answered a few questions on Wednesday before the team’s training session on the fog-covered fields in Marietta.

Villalba, a native of Argentina, is one of the team’s three Designated Players. Atlanta United will play Chattanooga in its first preseason game on Saturday at Finley Stadium.

(Note to @Zross12: I ran out of time before asking if he’s found any southern food that he likes).

Q: How has the adjustment to living in the United State been for you?

A: Good, good, good. The facilities are really nice and his teammates make it a lot easier.

Q: Has there been a part that you thought would be difficult, but has been easier than anticipated?

A: Adapting, I thought, would take a little more time but I’m adapting pretty well.

Q: What is his goal, or does he hope to accomplish on Saturday in the first preseason game?

A: To get some minutes, touches with the ball. And obviously to win and start scoring goals.

Q: How is implementing manager Gerardo Martino’s system coming along? Is it easy or difficult?

A: Excellent, excellent. Every day in practice we are working on things that he wants to do in games. Really, it’s going well.

Q: Someone on twitter wants to know who is the fastest player on the team now?

A: We haven’t had a chance yet to decide. In a few months we will find out.


Here’s how to read the AJC’s coverage of Atlanta United

Web: On the Atlanta United channel on AJC.com.

Facebook: On our Facebook page at Atlanta United News Now .

Twitter: Follow Doug Roberson on twitter @DougRobersonAJC.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Kennesaw State head coach Antoine Pettway reacts after his team beat Georgia State  92-69 at VyStar Arena, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Kennesaw. (Colin Hubbard for the AJC)

Credit: Colin Hubbard

Featured

Former Fulton County election worker Ruby Freeman talks to her daughter, Wandrea ArShaye "Shaye" Moss, a former Georgia election worker, after she testified before the U.S. House Select Committee at its fourth hearing on its Jan. 6 investigation on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. (Yuri Gripas/Abaca Press/TNS)

Credit: TNS