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Atlanta United are close to bringing in another MLS veteran to sure up their roster according to a report.
ESPN’s Julie Stewart-Binks reports that Free Agent forward Jacob Peterson is in Atlanta finalizing a deal to become United’s newest player.
Heard Jacob Peterson was in ATL for a free agent visit and is close to signing. The MLS vet would be a key component up top #theanswer #MLS
— Julie Stewart-Binks (@JSB_TV) December 17, 2016
Peterson, 30, has played in MLS since 2006 and has spent time with four different clubs. Most recently he’s coming off a four-year stint with Sporting Kansas City, in which he scored 13 goals and won an MLS Cup in 2013.
Atlanta United currently have 18 players on their roster with the subtraction of Junior Burgos who had his contract option declined on Friday.
If Peterson signs, he would join the depth of strikers that includes Kenwyne Jones, Brandon Vazquez, Jeffrey Otoo, and Romario Williams. The Michigan native can also play as a winger and a midfielder, so he would add some much needed versatility to the squad.
MLSSoccer.com’s Andrew Wiebe listed Peterson in his Best XI of available Free Agents giving him this description:
Looking for The Answer to all your offseason needs? Peterson isn’t that – though the nickname is elite – but he is the sort of grind-it-out midfielder that successful teams have waiting in the wings should injury, fatigue or circumstance dictate a more direct approach is needed. Don’t read into Peterson’s six-goal season, a career high, too much. That’s not his game, and almost certainly an outlier. He’ll give you effort for days, a professional approach, defensive steel on the wing and a familiarity with the vagaries of MLS that’ve made him a favorite of Sporting KC head coach Peter Vermes. In fact, good luck prying him away from Kansas City.
Full Atlanta United Roster:
Goalkeepers (2): Alexander Tambakis, Alec Kann
Defenders (4): Michael Parkhurst, Zach Loyd, Mikey Ambrose, Mark Bloom
Midfielders (8): Miguel Almiron, Chris Goslin, Harrison Heath, Kevin Kratz, Chris McCann, Hector Villalba, Andrew Carleton, Jeff Larentowicz
Forwards (4): Kenwyne Jones, Jeffrey Otoo, Romario Williams, Brandon Vazquez