Atlanta United today announced its provisional roster for the upcoming continuation of the 2020 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, set to take place Dec. 15-22 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando. The team is scheduled to return to training in adherence to league COVID-19 protocols at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground on Monday, Nov. 30.
Among the 27 First Team players listed on the provisional roster, three injured players will not be available for selection: Josef Martinez, Brooks Lennon and Alec Kann. A 25-man roster will be announced prior to the tournament starting. In addition to the remaining available First Team players, the club will call up five players from Atlanta United 2 to take part in a two-week training camp prior to its match against Club America.
A trio of young forwards headline the group, including 18-year-old Academy product Jackson Conway, 23-year-old 2020 SuperDraft pick Phillip Goodrum and 18-year-old summer signee Erik Lopez. Conway was tied for the team-lead with six goals this season, while Goodrum led the team with four assists. Meanwhile, the highly touted Lopez could make his Club debut. Also joining camp will be defender Jack Gurr and goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard. Gurr, a 24-year-old right back started 16 matches and finished sixth in USL Championship with 36 chances created, while Lundgaard, 25, started 13 matches.
Atlanta United provisional Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League roster
Goalkeepers (4): Brad Guzan, Alec Kann^, Ben Lundgaard, Brendan Moore
Defenders (11): George Bello, George Campbell, Edgar Castillo, Franco Escobar, Jack Gurr, Brooks Lennon^, Fernando Meza, Miles Robinson, Anton Walkes, Laurence Wyke
Midfielders (12): Mo Adams, Ezequiel Barco, Manuel Castro, Jürgen Damm, Jon Gallagher, Emerson Hyndman, Jeff Larentowicz, Marcelino Moreno, Jake Mulraney, Eric Remedi, Matheus Rossetto, Tyler Wolff
Forwards (5): Jackson Conway, Phillip Goodrum, Adam Jahn, Erik Lopez, Josef Martinez^, Erick “Cubo” Torres
- contracted to Atlanta United 2
^ - player is currently injured and unavailable for selection
The 2020 SCCL was postponed in March at the quarterfinal stage due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the introduction of an adjusted format with single leg games in a neutral venue, the 2020 SCCL will be concluded after a total of seven games to crown a champion. Including Atlanta United, three quarterfinal matchups already played the first leg of their ties prior to the competition’s postponement. For the purposes of these second leg matches, the games will be considered ‘home’ matches for the three teams which played their first leg away (CD Olimpia, Atlanta United FC and Tigres UANL).
At the end of these second leg games, should the aggregate score be level, the away goals rule will apply. Should the score be level on aggregate and away goals, matches will go straight to penalty kicks.
Quarterfinals: Exploria Stadium, Orlando, December 15 and 16, 2020
CD Olimpia (2) vs (1) Impact Montreal
Atlanta United FC (0) vs (3) Club America
Tigres UANL (1) vs (0) NYCFC
LAFC vs Cruz Azul (single leg)
Semifinals: Exploria Stadium, Orlando, December 19, 2020
Semifinal 1: Club America or Atlanta United FC vs LAFC or Cruz Azul
Semifinal 2: Tigres UANL or NYCFC vs CD Olimpia or Impact Montreal
Final: Exploria Stadium, Orlando, December 22, 2020
Final: Winner Semifinal 1 vs Winner Semifinal 2
To resume this competition, Concacaf has developed extensive new SCCL regulations to ensure the delivery of a safe and highly controlled environment for all the players, coaches, team staff and officials who will participate. These include a high-frequency COVID-19 testing regime before and during the competition and robust health and safety protocols which will be strictly applied. Concacaf will work with Exploria Stadium to ensure the high level of health and safety measures they currently operate in the stadium for Orlando City SC MLS games are in place for the centralized SCCL matches.
Concacaf has made the decision that these centralized final rounds of the 2020 SCCL will be played behind closed doors. Discussions are ongoing with the Confederation’s broadcast partners to ensure all matches are widely available for fans across the region to follow and enjoy.
