The Daily Dirt, February 7: Don’t tease me, bro

As the days tick down on preseason and we roll on March, one thing has become blatantly apparentrecently. Atlanta United likely aren’t finished making additions to their roster.

Troll master extraordinaire Darren Eales kicked off the speculation on Monday when he took to twitter to ask the rhetorical question of whether or not the club was finished making moves then dropped a cheeky “Five Stripes don’t stop” to leave us hanging.

On Tuesday, Tata Martino may have inadvertently confirmed what common sense made us all suspect. In a Q&A with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Doug Roberson (that you should read in full here), the Atlanta manager said that the club is “conscious of different opportunities that come up to have another player come in” when asked about the team’s midfield situation.

This all but confirms that whoever Atlanta United is targeting currently is a defensive midfielder to help fill the void left by Carlos Carmona. Also, Martino was non-committal on Jeff Larentowicz starting alongside Darlington Nagbe and Miguel Almiron against Nashville SC on Saturday, leaving the door open for Chris McCann as a possibility. This makes it seem like they are looking to bring in a starter to solidify the first-choice lineup.

The fact that both the club’s president and manager are openly hinting at a move being, could mean a deal could be completed soon. All we can add to this speculation is that you should probably turn on your notifications for Darren Eales’ tweets these next few weeks.

Here’s the dirt...

Domestic

Orlando City’s CEO Alex Leitao has let loose on Cyle Larin after the striker did everything in his power to force a transfer to Turkey. Leitao came out at said that Larin didn’t respect Orlando City, his contract or care about his teammates. Oof. (MLS Soccer)

D.C. United keep making competent moves, reportedly acquiring solid full back Oniel Fisher from the Seattle Sounders. (Black and Red United)

Minnesota United’s new home kit has leaked and it’s pretty nice, in my opinion. (E Pluribus Loonum)

Speaking of Minnesota, it appears the signing of their first DP might have to wait until summer. That’s so Minnesota. (MLS Soccer)

NASL files a lawsuit against U.S. Soccer (ESPN FC)

Kyle Martino came out on top of a U.S. Soccer Presidential Election poll put out by the American Outlaws.

International

Antonio Conte has reportedly received a stay of execution from Chelsea. We’ll see how long that lasts with Barcelona looming in the Champions League... (Sky Sports)

Premier League considering a winter break (ESPN FC)