Atlanta United: What would Pity Martinez mean?

Atlanta United turn their attention to 2019 by targeting and acquiring new players like Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez. But what would such an addition mean, both for Atlanta and MLS?

Atlanta United have turned their attention to the 2019 campaign. They have retained players from the 2018 squad like Michael Parkhurst, have added new members to the championship-side like Brek Shea, and are now looking to further their squad through the transfer market.

The Five Stripes are strongly linked with South American star Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez.

The Argentinian midfielder led his River Plate side to the Copa Libertadores championship while also earning the 2018 South American Footballer of the Year Award. And with Martinez confirming a deal with the Five Stripes, his move to the South signifies changing days for Atlanta and Major League Soccer as a whole.

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Major League Soccer has had the reputation of being a “retirement league” for as long as the league has been in existence with players like David Beckham and Wayne Rooney coming to North America to finish out their illustrious careers. But fans of the league across the world know that the narrative is old and is giving way to a new style of soccer.

The league has become a hub of young and exciting talent with players from South America making their way North to further their careers with hopes of traveling across the pond to compete in the best leagues in the world. This trend has been occurring across the league as of late, most recently with the San Jose Earthquakes acquiring former Boca Juniors winger Cristian Espinoza on loan from Spanish side Villarreal.

Signing and developing young talent can mean nothing but good things for MLS as it tries to break the retirement league narrative. And the possible signing of Martinez is just another example of the league’s evolution.

But for the Five Stripe faithful, Martinez comes as a bearer of bad news for someone in the dressing room.

Gonzalo Martinez would arrive in MLS as a Designated Player for Atlanta United. And with the Five Stripes’ DP spots already being occupied by Ezequiel Barco, Josef Martínez, and Miguel Almirón, if the Argentinian star is in fact coming to the South, it would mean the departure of one of the three stars, whether permanently or on loan. With the question marks surrounding Almirón’s future, it almost seems inevitable that it would be the Paraguayan set to leave MLS after his two-year stay.

Owner Arthur Blank and his front office have been very open about their business strategy to Atlanta supporters, which is to buy young talent, primarily from South America, only to sell them on to Europe for a large profit. While the strategy has served Atlanta well over the last two years, it still pains supporter’s to see one of their team’s best leave the squad, which Almiron most certainly is.

The Five Stripes are looking ahead to yet again make history in the 2019 season and are making sure that the players taking the pitch are capable of doing just that. And with the expected arrival of Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez, the Atlanta business model once again looks to target a young exciting player to make his name in MLS.