Atlanta United wrapped up its second week of voluntary individual workouts at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground on Friday.
Franco Escobar, the club’s representative in the eMLS Tournament Special, presented by Coca-Cola® and PlayStation®, spoke ahead of Sunday’s semifinals. Championship Sunday airs on FS1 (6:00 p.m.) and pits Atlanta United alongside Los Angeles FC, Sporting Kansas City, and New York City Football Club.
On this date in Atlanta United history
May 15, 2019 – On a Wednesday night in British Columbia, Atlanta United defeated Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1-0 for an MLS record fifth straight clean sheet victory. It ran Brad Guzan’s shutout streak to 456 minutes, ultimately ending four days later against New York Red Bulls for the eighth-longest streak in MLS history of 520 minutes.
Josef Martinez buried the lone goal of the game – his fifth goal of the season – on a penalty kick in the first half. The win improved the club to 6-3-2 and was its 12th point in the previous 11 days. Finally, it was also the club debut of Florentin Pogba, who started at center back.
Upcoming Team Schedule
Sunday, May 17 – Franco Escobar and Paulo Neto will compete for the title of the eMLS Tournament Special Championship, presented by Coca-Cola® and PlayStation®, on FS1 at 6:00 p.m. Atlanta United is in the semifinals alongside Los Angeles FC, Sporting Kansas City, and New York City Football Club.
Additional information on MLS teams returning to official training facilities
Major League Soccer announced May 1 that its players may begin to use outdoor team training fields for individual workouts, in compliance with detailed health and safety protocols that were created in consultation with medical and infectious disease experts. All individual workouts are voluntary and may not be in conflict with local public health officials or government policies.
The individual player workout protocol prohibits access to club facilities including but not limited to locker rooms, team gyms, and team training rooms. Team gyms and training rooms may still only be accessed by players receiving post-operative and rehabilitation treatment, as directed by the club’s Chief Medical Officer.
MLS announced on May 14 that is has extended the small group and team training moratorium through, and including, Monday, June 1.
Additional information on USL teams returning to official training facilities
United Soccer League announced May 6 a modification to the previously announced training moratorium that will allow Championship and League One clubs, at their option, to open outdoor fields for non-contact training in small groups as well as training rooms for player treatment.
ATL UTD 2 began individual sessions on Wednesday, May 13; however, the team will operate under the same rules as the club’s MLS players, meaning individual workouts only.