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Rumor: Atlanta United eyeing 20-year-old Panamanian striker?

Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

If reports are to be believed, MLS will be eliminating the expansion draft and awarding teams extra allocation money and international player spots. It appears as if Atlanta United is already preparing to use that surplus by scouting talent around Central America.

Former Panama star Roberto Brown, who played with both the Colorado Rapids and the Montreal Impact during the latter stage of his career, tweeted out that Atlanta United are eyeing 20-year-old striker Carlos Small for their inaugural season.

Rough Google translation:

Atlanta United entering the MLS in 2017 be looking for Carlos "Caliche" Small Sporting SM ..

Small is a tall, lanky, and pacey striker who has represented Panama at the under-20 level. Here's a clip of him scoring a pretty nice goal against the U.S. U-20 team in the 2015 U-20 CONCACAF Championships (0:27).

This seems exactly like the type of player Atlanta United should be looking at to build their first roster. High upside international players that are either before or entering their prime. The source of this rumor is a decorated Panama international with no reason to spout silly rumors. We'll give this one a 8.5 out of 10 on the plausibility scale.