Atlanta United’s 2-0 win over the Montreal Impact was full of positives, including a valuable win against a fellow playoff contender that pulled the red, black and gold within three points of postseason qualification. But there was one blemish: the first-half injury substitution of Miguel Almirón.
“Miguel is obviously the heartbeat of our team when he’s out there,” midfielder Jeff Larentowicz told reporters after the game. “He makes so much happen for us. To lose him would be difficult.”
Scans on Monday revealed a hamstring injury for Almirón that’s expected to keep him sidelined for a minimum of three weeks. While his importance to the team is undeniable, Atlanta United’s players remain confident whoever fills in will be ready.
“Miguel is one of the most important players in the league,” defender Leandro González Pirez said through a translator. “If he’s not able to play, then other guys are going to have to step up. Hopefully, we will be able to keep winning and keep moving up the table.”
Almirón isn’t the first player to get hurt this season, and the team’s “next man up” mentality has been on display all year. Fullback Anton Walkes said this is an opportunity for others to make their case for more minutes.
“It’ll definitely be a big miss,” Walkes said, “but I think we’ve got players on our team that have been waiting on their opportunity. So I’m sure that they will prove their point.”
The man chosen to fill the void by Almirón on Sunday was rookie Julian Gressel, and he responded with an assist and an overall strong performance in the center of the pitch. While it’s still undecided whether he will fill that role during the length of the Paraguayan’s absence, Gressel says he’s ready whenever the coach calls his number.
“It is just playing the position (and) playing (to) my abilities and seeing what I can do,” Gressel said. “It is never easy and you don’t want to see that happen to teammates but if it is me, then, obviously, I will try to be as good as I can and step into that role.”
Whoever fills in with Almirón temporarily on the sidelines, the team is as motivated as ever to continue their push up the Eastern Conference standings and earn that playoff spot.
“We just have to move forward. The team comes together. There are plenty of guys that are itching to play. We’ll come together as a group just like we did [on Sunday].”
The next step in the team’s journey toward the playoffs comes Wednesday, as the team hosts the Philadelphia Union in the match that could mathematically clinch a postseason berth. Make sure you’re there by reserving your tickets here.
