Atlanta United’s Thiago Almada: ‘I’m happy here’

Almada helped by hammering home a 25-yard strike that lifted Atlanta United past DC United and earned its second win in 13 MLS matches. It also moved the club up to ninth and above the playoff line in the East.

This wonderful strike came two days after Almada, in an interview with TyC Sports in Argentina, mentioned that he had spoken with Argentine legend Juan Roman Riquelme at Boca Juniors, one of the biggest clubs in the country. This comment created a storm of speculation that Almada would be ready to return to Argentina to continue his career.

Almada, who has repeatedly said his dream is to one day play for a European club, put an end to that speculation on Wednesday.

“As I said in the interview, there is nothing formal,” he said. “I’m very happy here, trying to do my best for Atlanta, trying to change the situation. My head is here, on my teammates, on the technical staff and on the club.

Almada was signed by Atlanta United from Velez Sarsfield in January 2022. He finished as a finalist for MLS MVP in 2003 with 11 goals and 19 assists. He has five goals, he is now the team leader, and three assists this season.

He said he felt no added pressure to try to carry the team following the sale of striker Giorgos Giakoumakis to Cruz Azul on Sunday.

“We’re not here to think about who’s coming or who’s coming,” Almada said. “We know the work we have to do and the situation we are in, and the only thing that helps is that those who are here want to win and are pulling in the same direction, that’s the most important thing.”

Valentino congratulated Almada after Wednesday’s victory, calling his goal fantastic and his commitment quality.

“I think that’s what he brings and he’s working hard to try and achieve that, whether there’s pressure on him or not it’s going to be up to him and how he handles that,” Valentino said. “As a team, we’re trying to take the pressure off all the guys so they can play their game and enjoy the moment. I hope he feels that the group will take the pressure off him and that we can’t just rely on one person.

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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule

February 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0

March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1

March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0

March 23 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 0

March 31 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 0

April 6 Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1

April 14 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2

April 20 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1

April 27 Atlanta United 1, Chicago 1

May 4 Minnesota 2, Atlanta United 1

May 7 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte Independence 0 in US Open Cup

May 11 DC United 3, Atlanta United 2

May 15 Cincinnati 1, Atlanta United 0

May 18 Atlanta United 1, Nashville 1

May 21 Atlanta United 0 (5), Charleston 0 (4) in US Open Cup

May 25 LAFC 1, Atlanta United 0

May 29 Atlanta United 3, Miami 1

June 2 Charlotte 3, Atlanta United 2

June 15 Atlanta United 2, Houston 2

June 19 Atlanta United 1, DC United 0

June 22 in Saint-Louis, 8:30 p.m.

June 29 c. Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

July 3 at New England, 7:30 p.m.

July 6 at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m.

July 9 against Indy Eleven in the US Open Cup

July 13 in Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

July 17 vs. NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.

July 20 against Columbus, 7:30 p.m.

July 26 against DC United in the League Cup, 7:30 p.m.

August 4 against Santos Laguna in the League Cup, 4 p.m.

August 24 at LA Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.

August 31 in Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.

September 14 vs. Nashville, 7:30 p.m.

September 18 against Miami, 7:30 p.m.

September 21 at the Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

September 28 in Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.

October 2 c. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

October 5 against Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

October 19 in Orlando, 6 p.m.