Atlanta United has signed free agent Jacob Peterson, a forward formerly of Sporting KC.
Peterson joins Jeff Larentowicz, a midfielder, as the MLS expansion team’s first two free-agent signings in the recently opened window.
Peterson, 30, has played the past 11 seasons in MLS, starting with Colorado (2006-09), Toronto (2010-11), San Jose (2011) and KC, (2012-16). He has scored 22 goals in 246 appearances. He scored a career-high six goals in 21 appearances for KC during the 2016 regular season, including scoring their goal of the year against Seattle.
“We set clear goals during this offseason to add league experience in key areas,” Atlanta United President Darren Eales said in a statement from the team. “Jacob is another player who’s enjoyed a long and productive career in MLS and we’re pleased that he’s decided to sign with our club.”
Peterson didn’t crack the lineup in KC’s first 11 games before he eventually started 10 consecutive matches, including scoring goals in consecutive games. He didn’t play because of the addition of Brad Davis, combined with a foot injury that prevented him from being at his best in the preseason.
He is the team’s 19th signing and will depth and experience at midfield. His nickname is “The Answer.”
He joins goalkeepers Alex Tambakis and Alec Kann, defenders Michael Parkhurst, Zach Loyd, Mike Ambrose and Mark Bloom, midfielders Andrew Carleton, Chris Goslin, Harrison Heath, Chris McCann, Kevin Kratz, Hector Villalba, Miguel Almiron and Larentowicz, and forwards Kenwyne Jones, Jeffrey Otoo, Brandon Vazquez and Romario Williams.
Atlanta United can continue to try to sign free agents. It can also add players during the second stage of the re-entry draft, which will be held Thursday.
Atlanta United’s new players
Atlanta United has added 10 players in the past 10 days:
Mikey Ambrose
Position: Defender
Height: 5-9
Age: 23
From: El Paso, Texas
How acquired: Selected in expansion draft.
Made five appearances for Orlando last season. … Began his career with Austin in USL. … Played in college for Maryland. … Has played for U.S. youth national teams at Under-17, U18 and U20 levels.
-
Mark Bloom
Position: Defender
Height: 5-11
Age: 29
From: Marietta
How acquired: In trade with Toronto for goalkeeper Clint Irwin following expansion draft.
Twitter: @markbloom21
Has 39 appearances in MLS, all with Toronto. … Played at Lassiter High. … Played at Berry College. … Typically used as a right back. … Played for the Silverbacks.
-
Harrison Heath
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-11
Age: 20
From: England, though he counts as a domestic player.
How acquired: In exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2019 draft.
Twitter: @harrisonheathy1
Has played in six games, including five starts, with Orlando the previous two seasons. … Appeared in 13 games with Orlando City B in the USL last season, scoring one goal. … Son of former Orlando coach Adrian Heath, now the coach of Minnesota United. … Seems like more of a role player for Atlanta United while he continues to develop.
-
Alec Kann
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-4
Age: 26
From: Decatur, Ga.
How acquired: Selected in expansion draft.
Twitter: @akann90
Kann made seven starts for Sporting KC in 2016. … Played at Lakeside High School. … Originally signed with Chicago in 2013. … Played in college at Furman.
-
Kevin Kratz
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-8
Age: 29
From: Germany.
How acquired: In exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2020 draft.
Made 122 appearances in the Bundesliga, including 89 with 12 goals for Bayer Leverkusen’s B team. … Didn’t make an appearance for Philadelphia after arriving on loan earlier this year. … Though some are slotting him into Atlanta United’s seems that it’s too early to tell how he will fit into Gerardo Martino’s team and the league.
-
Jeff Larentowicz
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-1
Age: 33
From: Pasadena, Calif.
How acquired: As a free agent, the first signed by the team.
Among field players in MLS, he is No. 11 all-time in minutes played (27,640) and No. 19 in appearances (324). … He has played in at least 23 games each year since the 2006. … Teams he has been on have won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (2007), four MLS Eastern Conference Championships (2005, 2006, 2007, 2010) and the MLS Cup (2010).
-
Zach Loyd
Position: Defender
Height: 5-10
Age: 29
From: Tulsa
How acquired: In expansion draft.
Twitter: @zachloyd
Made 180 appearances for Dallas. … Can play multiple positions in defense. … Has made three appearances for U.S. men’s national team. … After sustaining a concussion last season, he has been cleared to play. … Good with his feet, which is important in manager Gerardo Martino’s system.
-
Michael Parkhurst
Position: Defender
Height: 5-11
Age: 32
From: Providence, R.I.
How acquired: Undisclosed amount of General Allocation Money in trade with Columbus.
Twitter: @mfparkhurst
Has made 215 appearances, including 214 starts, in seven seasons in MLS with New England and then Columbus. … Also played in Denmark and Germany. … Has made 24 appearances in the U.S. men’s national team, including the 2007 and ’13 Gold Cups. … Seems to certainly be a starter in the back line for Atlanta United. … A four-time MLS all-star.
“Michael is a fantastic addition for us, give his veteran leadership and MLS experience. He’s proven to be an effective captain and is an ideal role model for some of the younger players on our club,” Atlanta United Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said in statement provided by the team. “Also, he’s a very intelligent defender and good on the ball, which fits in nicely with our style of play.”
-
Jacob Peterson
Position: Forward
Height:
Age: 30
From: Portage, Mich.
How acquired: Signed as free agent.
Twitter: @JACOB_PETERSON
More than 240 appearances in the MLS regular season, scoring 22 goals with 17 assists. … Scored a career-high six goals last season for Sporting KC. … Previous high was four goals, scoring with KC in 2012 and in Colorado in 2006 during his rookie season.
-
Romario Williams
Position: Forward
Height: 5-11
Age: 22
From: Jamaica
How acquired: In exchange for a third-round pick in 2018 draft. If he plays in 2017, the pick instead becomes a second-round selection.
Twitter: @williams_romy17
Picked third in 2015 SuperDraft after scoring 18 goals at UCF. … Has started just two games in two seasons with the Impact. … Was loaned to Charleston in the USL this season, where he played with Atlanta United players Alex Tambakis, Andrew Carleton and Jeffrey Otoo. … Played in 27 games for the Battery with 10 goals and an assist. … Has potential to become a starter for Atlanta United, but perhaps not in the 2017 season.
About the Author
