Ten months after he sustained a torn ACL in his right knee, Atlanta United midfielder Emerson Hyndman played his first meaningful minutes Saturday in the team’s 0-0 draw with Cincinnati at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
After saying the 10 minutes felt amazing, he’s ready for more.
“It was kind of a short amount of time on the field, but it’s really just about getting out there for me and trying to help team the best I could,” he said. “You know, it was a weird scenario as well, just trying to score a goal late, but you know, I think it was huge for me, just a huge confidence boost. To know that I’m actually on the field now and just ready to play minutes.”
Hyndman may get another chance Wednesday, when the team hosts Chattanooga in a U.S. Open Cup game at Kennesaw State. He has been training hard the past few weeks with the first team. Manager Gonzalo Pineda, frequently asked if Hyndman was ready to return, would always discuss how well Hyndman was doing during training.
Finally, Hyndman got his chance last week. But Pineda on Monday said the team needs to continue to evaluate Hyndman to decide what’s next in his return.
“Physically what he can produce on the soccer side?” Pineda said. “How is he feeling in that position, understanding the tactics, but I don’t want him to feel rushed. It was a big, big period of time, a long period of time for him to just come back and just have some minutes here and there.”
Hyndman had four touches in his limited time and completed each of his passes. He said his knee felt good and consistent soreness is no longer an issue.
Hyndman said he and Pineda have discussed how best to use him. Hyndman said he prides himself on his versatility, able to play as an attacking midfielder, central midfielder or defensive midfielder.
Though he has scored some important goals for the club, Hyndman is more of a facilitator than goal scorer, with four goals and six assists in 43 appearances. Because Atlanta United’s offense hasn’t scored in two games, help is needed. Hyndman’s ability to pivot and turn with the ball, and to work through the thirds of the field, could be valuable, according to Pineda.
“He’s just a good footballer, is a very good footballer,” Pineda said. “I mean, good footballers can play in any position, basically, in any role.”
A role that Hyndman has been forced to adopt is helping myriad teammates who have experienced serious injuries. As Hyndman was working to return, he has watched Ozzie Alonso (ACL), Josef Martinez (arthroscopic surgery), Dylan Castanheira (Achilles) and Brad Guzan (Achilles) suffer serious injuries.
“It’s weird because we’ve had a number of big injuries this year, for whatever reason,” he said. “Just the fact that I’m going to be around and out in the field with you is heartbreaking. So, me having gone through it, I try to give them pointers as much as I can. But it’s tough, for sure.”
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Atlanta United’s 2022 MLS schedule
Feb. 27 Atlanta United 3, Sporting KC 1
March 5 Colorado 3, Atlanta United 0
March 13 Atlanta United 2, Charlotte 1
March 19 Atlanta United 3, Montreal 3
April 2 Atlanta United 1, D.C. United 0
April 10 Charlotte 1, Atlanta United 0
April 16 Atlanta United 0, Cincinnati 0
April 24 at Miami, 1 p.m., ESPN
April 30 at Montreal, 4 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
May 7 vs. Chicago, 6 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
May 15 vs. New England, 1:30 p.m., ESPN
May 21 at Nashville, 7:30 p.m. FOX
May 28 vs. Columbus Crew, 7 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
June 19 vs. Miami, 4 p.m., ESPN2
June 25 at Toronto, 7:30 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
June 30 at New York Red Bulls, 8 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
July 3 at NYCFC, 5 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
July 9 vs. Austin, 7 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
July 13 vs. Real Salt Lake, 7:30 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
July 17 vs. Orlando, 3 p.m., ABC
July 24 at L.A. Galaxy, 9:30 p.m., FS1
July 30 at Chicago, 5 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
Aug. 6 vs. Seattle, 3 p.m., ABC
Aug. 13 at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. BSSO/BSSE
Aug. 17 vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
Aug. 21 at Columbus, 6 p.m., FS1
Aug. 28 vs. D.C. United, 4 p.m., UNIV
Aug. 31 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 4 at Portland, 5:30 p.m., FOX
Sept. 10 vs. Toronto, 7:30 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
Sept. 14 at Orlando, 6 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
Sept. 17 vs. Philadelphia, 3:30 p.m., UniMas
Oct. 1 at New England, 1 p.m., UniMas
Oct. 9 vs. NYCFC, TBD, BSSO/BSSE
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