The Daily Dirt, January 27: Players’ Ball

What a day, huh?

One complete surprise and two expected additions have Atlanta United’s roster nearly complete for the 2017 season. Brad Guzan, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, and Anton Walkes will be in Atlanta United uniforms this year, leaving only a couple of spots left on the roster.

What about that third Designated Player signing?

Rumors started hitting yesterday in Italy that Torino’s Josef Martinez might be on his way to Atlanta to join the Red & Black. The Venezuelan international fits the profile of an Atlanta United signing. Great pace, incredibly athletic, and he has shown a nose for goal during his professional career. The 23-year-old has primarily played as a secondary striker or left winger. Depending on how Tata Martino shuffles the lineup, room could easily be made for Martinez.

There are concerns about international slots, but there is time to sort that out. Jeffrey Otoo and possibly Romario Williams would have to be considered candidates to be loaned out in 2017 to make room on the roster. Also, acquiring another international slot would not be out of the question.

Even though yesterday was a big day on the acquisition front, the team might not be done with this players’ ball just yet...

Domestic

Kevin Molino to reunite with Adrian Heath in Minnesota (E Pluribus Loonum)

Molino trade “record deal” for MLS (Orlando Sentinel)

Sebastian Blanco, former teammate of Tito Villalba, appears to be finally headed to Portland (Stumptown Footy)

Luis Silva training with RSL in preseason (RSL Soapbox)

Mix Diskerud and Josh Saunders on the outs at NYCFC (NY Post)

The ups and downs of the St. Louis expansion bid (Rainy Owls)

San Francisco Deltas announce preseason schedule ahead of first NASL campaign (Medium)

Danny Szetela will return to the New York Cosmos (This Is Cosmos Country)

North Carolina Courage release their uniforms (NCFC)

International

Mexico’s 2017 kit designs leaked (FMF State of Mind)

Millwall won’t be the last club to fight a CPO (SB Nation)

Local

The next six weeks in Atlanta sports will be explosive (Top Drawer Soccer)