Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino expressed neutrality when asked if he was hopeful the team will sign a replacement for Carlos Carmona before the transfer window closes on May 1.
“Maybe yes, maybe no,” he said on Wednesday following his team’s training session for Saturday’s game at L.A. Galaxy.
Martino said he’s not sure what happened with reported negotiations with Cameroon midfielder Stephane Mbia, who flew to Atlanta and did attend Atlanta United’s game against LAFC. Martino said it’s important to remember roles within the team and that it’s his job to manage the players. Martino did say he had a brief discussion with Mbia, 31.
Carmona was sold to Colo-Colo in his native Chile on Jan. 30. Carmona and Jeff Larentowicz formed a solid partnership at defensive midfielder last season for the Five Stripes, which became the first MLS expansion team since Seattle in 2009 to make the playoffs.
After using that same 4-3-3 formation in the season-opening loss at Houston, Martino switched to a 3-5-2 that uses one defensive midfielder, Larentowicz, in the next five games. Atlanta United is unbeaten with four wins in that stretch.
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