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The Daily Dirt, February 2: Homeward Bound

Awaiting two new members of the Atlanta United family

By Jason Longshore
Torino FC v Club Brugge KV - UEFA Europa League Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

We’re on full alert for news out of Atlanta United today with deals for both Carlos Carmona and Josef Martinez rumored to be announced soon. Make sure you are following us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news.

Reports out of Chile say that Carmona turned down the offer on the table from Universidad de Chile and will sign a three-year deal with Atlanta instead. The length of the deal could have been an important factor as he is likely seeking security after a rough year at Atalanta in Serie A. After losing his starting spot due to injury, Carmona struggled to get it back and only featured in a couple of games this season.

If these two moves get done, Atlanta United could be fielding a lineup by midseason that features six current national team players. That would likely be a record for an expansion club in MLS. The quality that Tata Martino and his staff have been able to attract has been quite remarkable.

Now, we wait to see how everything comes together on the field...

Domestic

Jason Kreis will be making changes at Orlando City, some players will be let go (Orlando Sentinel)

San Lorenzo’s Sebastian Blanco joining the Portland Timbers (Oregon Live)

Mike Grella will be out 2-4 weeks (Once a Metro)

Sacramento’s ongoing drama surrounding their MLS expansion bid could hurt their chances (Indomitable City Soccer)

MLS is not ready to move on from Miami yet (Miami Herald)

FC Cincinnati looking at Anatole Abang from the New York Red Bulls (Once a Metro)

Tulsa Roughnecks add veterans Kosuke Kimura (former Atlanta Silverbacks) and Donovan Ricketts (Official)

USWNT forward Amy Rodriguez focused on getting back on the field (The Blue Testament)

International

After 21 incredible years, I have decided that now is the right time to finish my career as a professional footballer. Whilst I have received a number of exciting offers to continue playing at home and abroad, at 38 I feel now is the time to begin the next chapter in my life. I’m immensely proud of the trophies I’ve won, of representing my country over 100 times and of scoring more than 300 career goals. I have many people to thank. I thank my parents for instilling in me the values of hard work, dedication and professionalism, values which I have carried with me in everything that I do. I am forever grateful for the support of my family, my wife Christine and my two daughters Luna and Isla. What you have given me off the pitch has always been my strength on it. I love you all very much. Also, my friends and my own team that have always been there for me. I would like to thank the amazing team-mates, coaches, managers and backroom staff that I was privileged to work with. I’d also like to pay tribute to the clubs that I have represented. Firstly, West Ham United who gave me my debut in 1996. Thanks to the people there that believed in me at that young age. More recently Manchester City and NYCFC. I greatly enjoyed my last playing years at these two clubs and really appreciate the support I received from City Football Group and both clubs’ fans. Of course, the largest part of my heart belongs to Chelsea, a club which has given me so many great memories. I will never forget the opportunity they gave me and the success that we managed to achieve together. It is impossible to give thanks individually to all the people that helped and supported me in my 13 years playing there. All I can say is from the day I signed until now and going forward, I'm eternally grateful for everything and to everyone. Chelsea fans gave myself and my teammates such incredible support. Their passion and hunger drove me on personally to give my best year after year. I couldn't have done it without them. Looking forward, I'm grateful to the FA for the opportunity to study for my coaching qualifications and I look forward to pursuing the off-field opportunities that this decision opens.

A video posted by Frank Lampard (@franklampard) on

Peter Crouch has scored 100 goals in the EPL (SB Nation)

Local

A look at the coming together of Atlanta United’s supporters groups (MLS)

Georgia signs 11 to their recruiting class (Bulldawg Illustrated)

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