Atlanta United striker Josef Martinez is training by himself not because of COVID-19 protocols, but because he is trying to regain his fitness, Atlanta United president Darren Eales said Wednesday.

Though vaccinated against COVID, Martinez tested positive while with the Venezuelan men’s national team competing in the Copa America in Brazil. As a result, Martinez spent at least two weeks in a hotel room in which he couldn’t work on his fitness. Because Martinez also is still recovering from the knee injury sustained last year, the team doesn’t want to push him too quickly.

Eales said he isn’t sure if Martinez will be available for Thursday’s game at Nashville. He said he thinks it’s more likely that Martinez will return for the July 17 game against New England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Martinez has two goals in seven appearances this season. Atlanta United has been shut out in its past three games and is winless in its past six.

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Atlanta United forward Emmanuel Latte Lath (19) connects the ball with a header to score the team’s first goal during the first half against Inter Miami at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Atlanta.
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Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez/AJC

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Savannah's Talmadge Bridge sits just downriver from the Georgia Ports Authority cargo ship terminals. The span was recently listed in a NTSB report among those that are at risk for vessel strike following the March 2024 collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge. (Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez