The 2016 Major League Soccer season may still be young but in Atlanta all eyes are towards 2017.
With Atlanta United Football Club set to begin play in 2017 the club seems to finally be looking towards building a roster for opening day. While other MLS clubs have justifiably so gained more of the attention in recent weeks Atlanta United FC management have quietly started to pick up players and steam ahead of 2017.
Since the start of 2016 the club has picked up five players: goalkeeper Alexandros Tabakis, midfielders Chris McCann, Junior Burgos, and Andrew Carleton, and forward Jeffrey Otoo. Although none of the five players selected is really a household name there are a couple that Terminus Legion supporters should keep an eye on.
The first one is a name that will be familiar to many from the region: Junior Burgos. Burgos actually played with the North American Soccer League’s Atlanta Silverbacks back in 2014 and in 2015. The Salvadorean midfielder was known for having a flair for the dramatic during both tenures with the club normally providing a decisive pass into the box or taking the goal-scoring opportunity for himself.
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He also has previous experience in MLS having been drafted by Toronto FC in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. Although he only made two appearances for the side, his experience not just in American soccer but also abroad should prove to be an asset for the team.
The other interesting player that will certainly register with supporters is Carleton. Carleton signed a Homegrown Player deal with the club earlier this year after playing for amateur side Georgia United. Carleton has featured for the United States at the under-14, 15, and 18 and levels and is considered to be one of the top young midfielders in the country.
Of the other three players that might not be as familiar to supporters perhaps McCann might be the most intriguing. McCann has extensive experience in English football playing for Burnley and Wigan. At 6’1″ McCann will likely slot in as a defensive midfielder and give Atlanta a measure of stability for what may be a bumpy first season.
Although each of these names is interesting for different reasons the club is obviously not done adding to their roster. The club has been linked with two major international signings either of which will help them enormously in their inaugural season.
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Of course the first player is Mexican international Andres Guardado. The PSV midfielder has been heavily linked to Atlanta for months now. With both Atlanta and MLS looking to add more Mexican national team players and with Guardado stating publicly that he is considering a move. A deal might not be imminent but could be coming in the weeks ahead.
A move that seems to be more imminent is the addition of San Lorenzo winger Hector Villalba. Villalba, 21, has made 89 appearances and scored 15 goals for the Argentine side. His speed and pace have made him one of the most dangerous players in the Primera Division of Argentina. With his club confirming that he will not be returning next season this deal looks like it may happen any day now.
Although there are many more moves to be made and it is unknown whether any of these players will truly stick it appears that Atlanta United FC are finally beginning to take form.