Atlanta United felt like a club that had aspirations for winning a MLS Cup this season. The latest slew of injuries to players like Josef Martinez, who will miss 6-8 weeks after a knee procedure, and Osvaldo Alonso, who suffered a torn ACL, spell disaster for those expectations. Or do they?
According to Atlanta United announcer, Jason Longshore, the injuries don't change much when it comes to their chance of lifting the MLS Cup this year.
Longshore joined the "Jon Chuckery Show" today ahead of their match-up with Charlotte FC and stated that the only expectation that he had for this club that takes a hit is their chance of winning the Supporter Shield, the award given to the team that wins the most regular-season games.
When it comes to the MLS Cup, Longshore believes that United will look to play through Thiago Almada, who becomes the main playmaker on the squad in the absence of Martinez. He went on to say, "This does nothing to take away from the possibility of challenging for the cup down the line."
As long as some of the other players "chip in" from a scoring perspective United should be able to keep pace in the standings. That being said in the past when Martinez has missed games Atlanta averages about one goal per game.
The good news is Josef Martinez will return for the second half of the season, and assuming his knee has taken well to the treatments and players like Almada can step up during the next month and half, Atlanta United should still be considered a major contender.