The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Key players set for return to training
Their availability for Cincinnati match remains uncertain.
Atlanta United may get two key players back this week.
Manager Gonzalo Pineda said Sunday that striker Giorgos Giakoumakis, who has missed the past two matches because of a bone bruise in his right knee, and centerback Stian Gregersen, who underwent knee surgery last month and has missed the past four matches, may return to training this week. Their availability for Saturday’s match against Cincinnati at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will depend upon how much they are able to do this week.
Winger Xande Silva (adductor) and centerback
Derrick Williams (calf ) also missed Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Philadelphia. Williams is expected to miss at least two more weeks. No timetable has been provided for Silva, though his injury was described by Pineda as minor.
Atlanta United hasn’t suffered too much without Giakoumakis, who leads the team with five goals, and Gregersen.
Daniel Rios scored Atlanta United’s first goal against Philadelphia. It was the fourth scored by the players signed to support Giakoumakis. Jamal Thiare, who is also expected to miss at least two more weeks because of a hamstring injury, also missed the Philadelphia match. He has three goals this season.
Rios was acquired on loan from Chivas. He missed the previous two matches because of an injury.
“I am really happy for his (Rios’) dedication and commitment, but again, it wasn’t easy because he hasn’t trained a lot with the team, and the opposition has very good centerbacks, so to get past them, you’ll really have to be good, and today, he was really good,” Pineda said Sunday.
Noah Cobb has started the past three matches in place of Gregersen and played well. Luis Abram got his first start this season in place of Williams. “I felt very good on the field,” Abram said.