The Daily Dirt, February 4: Garza joins the squad

Greg Garza will now meet up with his new teammates in Atlanta after last night’s USMNT win over Jamaica closed out the winter camp. The left back will be expected to pick things up quickly as the team has already been through two weeks of training sessions in Bradenton, Florida at the IMG Academy.

Tata Martino’s system expects his outside backs to get forward often and contribute to the attack. Garza should be a prime fit for that sort of style as it suits him well. What he will need to pick up in short order is the chemistry with his center backs and left winger, timing on when to go and when to stay at home, and other general expectations from this coaching staff.

He will be coming into the camp in good physical condition after nearly a month with the USMNT, so that will help him immensely in getting up to speed.

With one week until the first exhibition game against Chattanooga FC at Finley Stadium on February 11, the team will close its camp in Bradenton and be returning to the Atlanta area this weekend.

Domestic

Benny Feilhaber and Jordan Morris combine on the winning goal for the USMNT to beat Jamaica (Stars and Stripes FC)

6 takeaways from the USMNT win over Jamaica (FOX Sports)

Adrian Heath is pleased with how Minnesota United is coming together (Star Tribune)

The whole story on Minnesota’s acquisition of Kevin Molino (FourFourTwo)

Orlando City’s Jonathan Spector confident that his transition to MLS will be smooth (MLS)

Catching up on the San Jose Earthquakes’ offseason (Center Line Soccer)

Deep look at the scope of Philadelphia Union’s academy (Philly.com)

More preseason action:

LAFC have 14,000 season ticket deposits (Angels on Parade)

A deeper look at the NWSL’s new media partnership with A&E (Equalizer Soccer)

International

Barcelona fans to protest what they feel is bad refereeing (Marca)

Local

Brookwood HS grad Walker Zimmerman earned his first cap last night for the USMNT against Jamaica (Gwinnett Daily Post)