Ambrose’s talents suit United’s style

Manager Martino likes how left back ‘gets forward.’

Mikey Ambrose had no idea he was going to be selected by Atlanta United in the expansion draft.

“It was a bit of surprise, but a very good surprise,” Ambrose, 23, said. “I was excited from the get-go. Everyone here is doing it right. It’s going to be a great experience.”

But Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino had a very good reason why the team wanted the left back.

“He gets forward,” Martino said through an interpreter. That seems to be a baseline requirement for all of the defenders acquired by the MLS club.

Ambrose, a native of Frisco, Texas, came up through MLS in Dallas’ famed academy, before signing with Maryland, where in three years he made 71 appearances with 15 assists, evidence of his ability to get up the field and get involved in the offense.

He played for the Austin Aztex in the PDL and USL from 2013-15.

Orlando City traded for him in 2016. He made 18 appearances for the B team, paving the way for five appearances last season for the MLS squad. Ambrose didn’t get many opportunities in Orlando because he was competing with Brek Shea, a former regular on the U.S. men’s national team.

Ambrose is one of two natural left backs on the roster. The other is Greg Garza, who spent most of January and the first few days of February in camp with the U.S. men’s national team. He has since returned. Should Garza be called up by manager Bruce Arena for World Cup qualifiers in March, Ambrose could be the only natural left back remaining for Atlanta United. Atlanta United at Chattanooga FC (exhibition), 3 p.m.

Fullbacks under Martino are expected to play almost as extra midfielders. They can either hug the sidelines to provide an outlet to stretch defenses before receiving the ball and making a cross into the penalty box, or they can cut inside into spaces between midfielders and fullbacks to try to either create numerical advantage and/or that moment of hesitation that could result in a goal.

Ambrose said he’s a hard worker, which is necessary for the amount of sprinting up and down the field that will be necessary to execute Martino’s strategy. Ambrose thinks his skills are a good fit for Martino’s preferred pressing system. He said he grew up playing “tiki-taka” soccer — a style built on short passing — in Texas.

Notes: Goalkeeper Alex Tambakis didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice because of the flu but Here’s how to read the AJC’s coverage of Atlanta United:

On the Atlanta United channel on AJC. com. On our Facebook page at Atlanta United News Now. Follow Doug Roberson on twitter @ DougRobersonAJC. is expected to return today. He appeared to be the only player withheld for the training, which took place at the team’s under-construction headquarters in Marietta. Another goalkeeper, Odisnel Cooper, is on trial with the team, along with Kyle Reynish, who joined the team when it was in Bradenton, Fla. Cooper, a native of Cuba, has played for Charleston since 2013. 2 p.m. Feb. 26, Fox

Mikey Ambrose has played in the PDL and the USL.