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It appears as if Leandro Gonzalez Pirez’s injury that caused him to be substituted off this past Sunday in the 2-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls will not keep him from participating this weekend. When asked about his status for the upcoming match against Minnesota United in a pre-match press conference, Atlanta United manager Tata Martino told reporters that Pirez has been training all week like normal.
Usually, defenders aren’t subbed off unless of serious injury as not to disrupt the backline. Cramps could’ve been the issue for Pirez that forced him off against RBNY. His departure from the match was noticeable as his replacement, Anton Walkes, was the unfortunate party credited with an own goal to give the Red Bulls the lead just minutes after Pirez left.
It’ll undoubtedly be a relief for Martino to not have to worry about trying to replace Pirez in the lineup against Minnesota. Hopefully the expected frigid temperatures will help with any possible cramping problems.