Ronald Hernández is available for selection Saturday, March 22 when Atlanta United faces FC Cincinnati. The Venezuelan missed the last three matches with a quad injury after starting and playing 90 minutes in the home opener. Hernández returned to training this week and got a good deal of reps in contact drills.
Atlanta United also signed three Atlanta United 2 players to short-term agreements. Rodrigo Neri, Cooper Sanchez and Nyk Sessock will travel with the first team to Cincinnati. The three have yet to make their debuts for the senior squad.
There's a chance Hernández will be asked to play in central defense Saturday, as Deila considered playing the fullback at right center back in the regular back four or in a back five. This comes as Atlanta United will be without some center back options due to international call ups.
"[Hernández] is back, and Matt [Edwards] also has an opportunity to play in there," Deila said during media availability Thursday. "You can also play with three center backs. I think there's opportunity to play with some backs inside [as] center backs."
No matter how the lineup shakes out, Hernández being available is a boost. Other fullbacks Pedro Amador and Brooks Lennon are both healthy, and if they feature in a back five will be free to roam forward.
Midfielder Mateusz Klich and forward Jamal Thiaré are both still on the report as they work through quad injuries. Klich is questionable and may be a game-time decision for Cincinnati. Thiaré will miss the match along with Edwin Mosquera, who suffered an ankle injury against Inter Miami late in the match.
Player | Injury | Status |
Mateusz Klich | Quadriceps | Questionable |
Edwin Mosquera | Ankle | Out |
Jamal Thiaré | Quadriceps | Out |
