Atlanta United hopes Luiz Araújo can spark MLS playoff drive

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ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta United is hoping Luiz Araújo can present the offensive increase it must rally for a playoff berth over the second half of the MLS season.

The crew formally launched its latest designated participant on Tuesday, having acquired the 25-year-old Brazilian ahead on a switch from French membership Lille.

Araújo joined United after serving to Lille win the Ligue 1 championship for the fourth time in membership historical past final season, in addition to its first-ever French Champions Trophy on Aug. 1.

He is prepared for a brand new problem in Main League Soccer.

“I’m very joyful to be in MLS and present MLS who Luiz Araújo is,” he mentioned by way of an translator.

Atlanta United is tenth within the Japanese Convention — three spots out of a playoff berth — and seeking to construct some momentum after its first victory in practically three months, a 3-2 resolution over Columbus final Saturday.

United went 12 matches with out a win (0-5-7), organising the prospect of one other massively disappointing season for what had been one of many league’s mannequin franchises.

Technical director Carlos Bocanegra mentioned there’s loads of time to show issues round with 16 video games remaining.

“We actually wish to make a push,” he mentioned. “We predict there’s nonetheless lots to play for this season.”

Araújo may present further scoring punch for a membership that has managed simply 21 objectives in 18 video games.

The three-goal outburst towards Columbus matched United’s highest-scoring recreation of the season.

Araújo is a speedy winger who joins a entrance line led by Josef Martinez, the 2018 MVP who remains to be attempting to regain his prime type after lacking nearly all of final season with a knee harm.

“We predict he’ll give us a little bit little bit of stability,” Bocanegra mentioned of Araújo. “He is one other piece to assist unlock the protection and assist stretch the protection.”

Araújo spent 4 seasons with Lille, the place he scored 14 objectives in 108 appearances. He went by way of preseason coaching with the French membership and performed 85 minutes in its 1-0 victory over PSG to assert the Champions Trophy.

Araújo will undergo his first coaching session with Atlanta United on Wednesday, although it is not recognized if he’ll be out there for Sunday’s recreation towards Los Angeles FC due to visa points.

When he does get on the sphere, Araújo made it clear what his purpose is — to convey one other MLS Cup title to Atlanta.

The crew received the championship in 2018, its second season within the league, and reached the convention last the following yr.

“I actually wish to win titles,” Araújo mentioned. “The primary motive I am right here is I want to win the league. It is one thing I have been doing my entire life. I have been a champion.”

However he joins a membership that has struggled mightily the final two seasons, lacking the playoffs for the primary time in 2020 and placing itself in one other huge gap this yr.

Turmoil off the sphere definitely hasn’t helped.

United is on its fourth coach in lower than 13 months, having fired Gabriel Heinze final month after simply 13 video games on the helm amid a falling-out with Martinez and allegations that he abused gamers throughout coaching.

Rob Valentino is main the crew on an interim foundation, however Atlanta is looking for a everlasting coach and will make one other change shortly.

“We have talked to a couple candidates,” Bocanegra instructed reporters on a Zoom name. “We hope to have some information for you guys shortly.”

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Observe Paul Newberry on Twitter at https://twitter.com/pnewberry1963 and his work might be discovered at https://apnews.com/search/paulnewberry

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Extra AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports



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