Luiz Araujo isn’t performing at his best level, but Atlanta United Vice President Carlos Bocanegra said he is confident that the Brazilian will find his form.
After scoring six goals during the preseason, and saying that he was happy, Araujo has two goals and two assists in 11 starts this season. He hasn’t scored in the past seven games, including the U.S. Open Cup loss to Memphis. He has only one shot on target during those matches.
Araujo has 10 goals and 12 assists in 53 appearances since joining the club from Lille in France’s Ligue 1.
“He’s a good player,” Bocanegra said. “The more he gets confident, the more we can we can get him going this season.”
Bocanegra said that Araujo remains great in the locker room and is working hard on the training ground. He pointed out that players can go through down spells.
The team also has lacked consistency this season. After taking 10 points from its first four MLS games, Atlanta United has taken eight from its past six. It will play at Miami on Saturday.
“While it’s early, we feel good, and we feel confident,” Bocanegra said. “Haven’t been maybe as consistent as we’d like to be so far. But we’re still getting into a groove. And I think the nice thing for us is we haven’t had to have too many different changes to our lineup. ... We’ve been able to keep a little bit more consistency. And so we’ll build on that.”
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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 Atlanta United 1, New York Red Bulls 0
April 8 Atlanta United 1, New York City FC 1
April 15 Atlanta United 2, Toronto FC 2
April 23 Atlanta United 2, Chicago 1
April 29 Nashville SC 3, Atlanta United 1
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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