The Daily Dirt, September 19: Watching, waiting, hoping

The first substantial Atlanta United manager rumor leaked out last week when former Barcelona and Argentina national team manager, Gerardo Martino, was linked with the club’s open position.

Various reports from all over the world state that “Tata” Martino is in negotiations with the Atlanta brass to become their first ever manager. Some say it’s all but done while others say it’s just in the negotiation process. Atlanta United have stayed firm throughout by saying they are still interviewing candidates.

Nevertheless, it appears as if we’re getting closer to a manager being named whether it’s actually Martino or someone else.

This is a huge decision and moment for the fledgling club. It will shape who they are and their vision for the foreseeable future. We’re be anxiously waiting the final decision on who it will be.

The Martino rumor really excites me from a fan perspective. If the team really wants to play attacking and exciting soccer, it seems like he’d be a great candidate. Sure there are areas of worry like no MLS experience and possibly a language barrier, but the pros heavily outweigh the cons in my opinion.

Will Parchman of Top Drawer Soccer wrote a very nice article on what Martino would bring to MLS if the rumor comes to fruition. You should check that out.

We’ll be on Tata Watch this week and hopefully it all comes to a nice and clean conclusion.

Domestic

Dramatic Draw with New York Red Bulls Clinches Playoff Spot for Toronto FC (Waking the Red)

Landon Donovan scores for first time since coming back from retirement in 2-2 draw with SKC (LAG Confidential)

USWNT top the Netherlands in Atlanta, 3-1. (Recap by our own Matthew Edmiston)

U.S. Soccer decides not to punish Megan Rapinoe for kneeling during anthem (Stars and Stripes FC)

International

What’s wrong with Manchester United? (Fox Soccer)

Harry Kane carted off with ankle injury, and it doesn’t look good (Cartilage Free Captain)

Mauro Icardi and Ivan Perisic stun Juventus late (Serpents of Madonnina)

Local

Kennesaw State women’s team beat Winthrop, 1-0.

Georgia Gwinnett women’s team fell to Keiser, 5-0.