Atlanta United added a complementary attacking player, Lisandro Lopez, in a quizzical move announced on Monday.
Lopez is a 37-year-old striker who will back up Josef Martinez and occupy one of the team’s international slots, which makes the acquisition interesting because MLS teams only get a few of those.
Atlanta United struggled last season to score and create chances after Martinez suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opening league game at Nashville. The team failed to make the playoffs for the first time in four years and scored just 23 goals, second-fewest in the league. Based upon his posts on social media, Martinez appears poised to return as soon as the team opens training camp.
“Lisandro is a veteran goal scorer who will strengthen our attack and we’re pleased to add a player with his experience and qualities to our club,” Atlanta United vice president and technical director Carlos Bocanegra said in a statement. “He brings leadership and a winning mentality, having won various league and cup titles throughout his career, and we feel that he will have a positive influence on our younger roster.”
Lopez is a proven goal-scorer with 244 goals in more than 600 appearances for clubs in his storied career. He started with Racing Club in his native Argentina before going to Porto, Olympique Lyon, Al-Gharafa, Internacional and then back to Racing Club.
Atlanta United’s International slots are currently occupied by Jurgen Damm, Fernando Meza, Marcelino Moreno, Jake Mulraney, Matheus Rossetto and Anton Walkes. It is believed to have at least two International slots available. Two were freed by the team not re-signing Laurence Wyke and allowing Manuel Castro’s loan to expire. The team traded with Nashville for another slot after the season.
Lopez’s acquisition also may signal that the team is moving on from Adam Jahn, who was signed last year, that Erik Lopez may be better suited as an attacking midfield player and that Jackson Conway isn’t quite ready to consistently play in MLS.
Lisandro Lopez is the third experienced player the team has added this offseason, joining left fullbacks Andrew Gutman and Mikey Ambrose. The team also has announced three Homegrown signings: Conway, Efrain Morales and Machop Chol.
Additionally, the team is reportedly on the verge of signing midfielder Franco Ibarra of Argentinos Juniors in Argentina.
2021 Atlanta United roster
Goalkeepers (2): Brad Guzan, Alec Kann
Defenders (10): Mikey Ambrose, George Bello, George Campbell, Franco Escobar, Andrew Gutman^, Brooks Lennon, Fernando Meza, Efrain Morales, Miles Robinson, Anton Walkes.
Midfielders (10): Mo Adams, Ezequiel Barco, Machop Chol, Jürgen Damm, Emerson Hyndman, Marcelino Moreno, Jake Mulraney, Eric Remedi, Matheus Rossetto, Tyler Wolff.
Forwards (5): Jackson Conway, Adam Jahn, Erik Lopez, Lisandro Lopez, Josef Martinez
^ on loan from Celtic
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