The Atlanta United player of the game receives a hand-painted electric guitar.
It’s a relatively new promotion for the team.
Midfielder Miguel Almiron has already won two after scoring three goals in the 4-1 win over Houston and two more in last week’s 3-1 win over NYCFC.
Almiron just needs a bass and a drum to start a band.
Yesterday, I asked my followers on twitter to provide their ideas for a name for Almiron’s band. The answers were awesome: Miggy Stardust. The Hat Tricks. Just to name a few.
Here’s Almiron’s answer, within a portion of an interview with members of the Atlanta media on Wednesday at the team’s training ground in Marietta ahead of Saturday’s game at Vancouver (More of the interview will appear in a story that will post on Friday):
Q: What are you doing with all of the guitars that you are winning?
A: For now, I’m saving both in my house. My dad likes the guitar a lot so I’m going to give one to him. The other, we’ll see.
Q: Do you play?
A: I play a little bit, but not very well.
Q: What would you call your band if you played, after getting all of these guitars?
A: A-T-L.
Q: Why are you and the team having such a good stretch?
A: I think the hard work. We train every week with humility and sacrifice. It’s not just me, it’s the whole group. We are working really hard together.
Q: You and Julian (Gressel) connected twice when he got to the end line and passed it back. When you see one of the wings get to the end line like that, what’s your mindset?
A: When I see that in the moment I just think about getting into the box because Julian’s a player who is able to get into good positions. That’s what the coach wants, he wants to have a lot of guys arriving into the box so that when someone gets to the end line we are all there in the right position.
Q: What did David Villa say to you when you were walking off the pitch? He didn’t seem happy.
A: It was nothing bad what he was saying. He just wanted me to get off the field a little faster. It was nothing too bad. He was just telling me to hurry up.
