Venezuelan left back José Hernández became Atlanta United’s latest signing Wednesday morning, adding an exciting prospect to the Five Stripes' defense. But any transfer starts well before the player signs a contract. Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra sat down with ATLUTD.com to explain what the front office saw in their newest recruit and how he will contribute to the squad next season.
Q: José Hernández may be an off-the-radar signing for our fans. How did you learn about him and when did he first catch your eye?
We were following José this summer at the Youth World Cup. When we were watching the various games, he was a player that really stood out to us. His competitiveness, his tenacity – and he had a good sort of nasty in him. He really impressed us and stood out on a very talented Venezuela team.
Q: As a young player, how do you see him adapting to MLS?
The challenge for guys coming in from outside the league is always to get them up and running as quickly as possible. Meeting and interacting with José, he has a great personality, he’s very energetic. He is eager to improve his English and is excited about experiencing a new culture. So that’s half the battle, finding someone who wants to learn and adapt and be open-minded. We also obviously have a Spanish-speaking contingent and an international flair around our club and our city as well. So I think it’s a great mix for him on and off the field, and hopefully we can integrate him as quickly as possible.
Q: Is Hernández going to be the lock-down defender or someone flying down the wing in attack?
I think he brings a bit of both. For a younger player, he’s very well-rounded. He’s intelligent on the ball and is definitely capable of sending dangerous balls in to our attack, but on the defensive side he’s aggressive in one-on-one situations and loves to get stuck in. He’s not the biggest in stature, but he makes up for that with his timing and aggressiveness. But more than anything, he’s just an incredibly well-rounded player.
Q: How does he fit into the team?
We want him to come in and compete for a spot just like everyone else. And we’re excited to see him do that.
