The Daily Dirt, October 20: Take It on the Run

Atlanta United is a pretty popular place to be at the moment. All the positives that are going on, plus the arrival of Tata Martino, mean that there are players all over the world who want to be part of this club.

Rumors are steadily increasing about players that Martino wants to sign, or players that want to come here, or both. Get used to this reality, because it’s only going to increase when and if the the club has success on the field. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind.

Sometimes, the rumors start from the player or his agent. They can be used to renegotiate their deal at their current club, they could be used to get Atlanta’s attention, they could simply be used to get some publicity.

Also, some of these rumors could very well be true. However, every player rumored to come to Atlanta will not show up here. There are some players who are valued more highly and a higher priority to sign. Other players might be discussed, but as a back-up plan if the priority player does not sign. This is part of building a club. Every player Atlanta United chases will not end up signing, they have to have Plan B’s and Plan C’s to fill out the roster.

This is only going to increase as we get closer to the next transfer window. We will do our best to present our thoughts on the rumors as they start to get traction and help separate the legitimate ones from the farces.

In other news, the U.S. Women’s National Team truly began its new cycle last night with five new players getting caps in a 4-0 win over Switzerland. The NWSL will be critical in this World Cup/Olympics cycle to develop new players for the national team. Lynn Williams, hero in the NWSL Final for Western New York, scored on her debut last night.

Domestic

Five new players get caps as the USWNT defeats Switzerland 4-0 (Stars and Stripes FC)

Is Jermaine Jones going to be the Rapids’ secret weapon in the playoffs? (Denver Post)

How will Dallas overcome the loss of Mauro Diaz? (Big D Soccer)

Bradley Wright-Phillips is the SB Nation MLS Player of the Week (SB Nation)

Jeff Berding, president of FC Cincinnati, took part in an AMA on Reddit yesterday (Reddit/MLS)

A look at Alejandro Bedoya’s comments on the equal pay dispute U.S. Soccer is facing (Stars and Stripes FC)

International

David Moyes in trouble at Sunderland? (Sky Sports)

Sam Allardyce could return to Sunderland, club in takeover talks? (Independent)

Alan Pardew open to England national team talks (Reuters)

Local

North Georgia’s men won 1-0 at Georgia Southwestern (UNG)

West Georgia’s women win 1-0 (UWG)