Atlanta United lose Emerson Hyndman to ACL tear

Atlanta United midfielder Emerson Hyndman (20) is defended by Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar (10) in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta United midfielder Emerson Hyndman (20) is defended by Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar (10) in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta United may be in the international break but they suffered a big loss this week as Emerson Hyndman is going to be out for an extended period of time with a torn ACL.

The Atlanta United midfielder suffered the injury in his right knee according to a statement by the club.

Hyndman is an influential part of Atlanta United, having started all seven games this season with 621 minutes logged. He has a goal and an assist so far for the Eastern Conference club.

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In what is now his third season in MLS, Hyndman is developing into a solid and dependable central midfielder. The 25-year old came to MLS after spending several seasons in England, first playing for Fulham before moving to AFC Bournemouth where he played a little but featured heavily in loan spells in the Scottish Premier League at Rangers and Hibernian.

Hyndman has two appearances with the United States national team, having featured with the youth national teams as a younger player up through the U23 level.

Atlanta United did not release a timetable for the return of the rock-steady and dependable Hyndman from his injury.

It has been a bit of a rocky go of things this season for Atlanta United, their first under Argentine head coach Gabriel Heinze. They started the season off well, winning in the CONCACAF Champions League over Costa Rican side Alajuelense before falling to the Philadelphia Union in the tournament’s quarterfinals.

In league play, they sit on 10 points in seven matches. They are currently in eighth place, one spot outside of the playoff picture in a weirdly distributed Eastern Conference.

The loss of Hyndman takes away a box-ot-box midfielder who can carry the ball forward but does good work defensively and is able to shoot from distance. He is the grandson of former FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman, who took the organization to MLS Cup in 2010.

Follow Kristian Dyer of ‘MLS Multiplex‘ on Twitter @KristianRDyer