Atlanta United’s Thiago Almada returned from Argentina and will be available for selection for Saturday’s MLS game against the New York Red Bulls at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Almada was in Buenos Aires with Argentina’s national team. He scored a goal in the team’s first game, a 2-0 win against Panama. Almada didn’t play in the team’s second match.
Atlanta United (3-1-1) manager Gonzalo Pineda said Almada was scheduled to do a therapy session Thursday afternoon at the team’s headquarters and would train with the group Friday. Almada has four goals and four assists for Atlanta United and is an early favorite for league MVP.
“He’s fit, he’s ready,” Pineda said.
Almada was one of seven Atlanta United players who were called to their national teams, which resulted in them missing the 6-1 loss at Columbus on Saturday.
Of the group, the player who may not be back in time for the match against the Red Bulls is centerback Luis Abram, who is working on a visa issue, Pineda said. Abram needs a printed visa to re-enter the U.S., Pineda said.
The remaining players, centerback Miles Robinson, striker Giorgos Giakoumakis, fullback Ronald Hernandez, and wingers Derrick Etienne and Machop Chol trained with the team Thursday.
Among the team’s injured players, Pineda said that Andrew Gutman, who suffered an adductor injury against Columbus, is week to week. Caleb Wiley, Aiden McFadden and Ronald Hernandez are among the candidates to replace Gutman at left fullback. Wiley has three goals and two assists this season.
Central midfielder Matheus Rossetto, who sustained a hamstring injury three weeks ago, likely won’t start, according to Pineda.
Though midfielder Ozzie Alonso is sprinting and doing some lateral movement drills, Pineda said there is no timetable for his return. Alonso suffered a torn ACL last season April 2 at D.C. United.
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Atlanta United’s 2023 MLS schedule
Feb. 25 Atlanta United 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1
March 4 Atlanta United 1, Toronto FC 1
March 11 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte FC 0
March 18 Atlanta United 5, Portland 1
March 25 Columbus 6, Atlanta United 1
April 1 vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
April 8 at New York City FC, 7:30 p.m.
April 15 at Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m.
April 23 vs. Chicago Fire FC, 4:30 p.m., FS1
April 29 at Nashville SC, 1:30 p.m., Fox
May 6 at Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.
May 13 vs. Charlotte FC, 7:30 p.m.
May 17 vs. Colorado Rapids, 7:30 p.m.
May 20 at Chicago Fire FC, 8:30 p.m.
May 27 at Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m.
May 31 vs. New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m., FS1
June 3 at Los Angeles FC, 10:30 p.m.
June 10 vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
June 21 vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m.
June 24 at New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
July 2 vs. Philadelphia Union, 4 p.m., Fox
July 8 at CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
July 12 at New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m.
July 15 vs. Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m., FS1
Aug. 20 at Seattle Sounders, 10:30 p.m.
Aug. 26 vs. Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 30 vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 2 at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 16 vs. Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 23 vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 7 vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 21 at FC Cincinnati, TBA
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