Whether Michael Parkhurst will be in the starting lineup in Thursday’s playoff game against Columbus likely will be a game-time decision, Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino said Tuesday.
Parkhurst sustained a twisted knee in the second half of Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Toronto. The team captain, Parkhurst started 33 of the team’s 34 league games. He said he was OK in the locker room after the game, but didn’t participate in the team training session on Tuesday.
With Leandro Gonzalez Pirez as the other centerback, the team has 12 shutouts this season, including seven in the past 10 games.
When either player has missed a game, Martino typically has moved Jeff Larentowicz from defensive midfielder to centerback and used either Kevin Kratz or Julian Gressel as the defensive midfielder.
Parkhurst, 33, was traded to Atlanta United from Columbus in December after he played the previous three seasons for the Crew.
Midfielder/fullback Chris McCann, who returned from injury to put in a complete game against Toronto, will also be a game-time decision. Martino said McCann’s decision based upon his need to rest and recover.
Fullback Greg Garza, goalkeeper Alec Kann and midfielder/forward Brandon Vazquez will remain out.
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