We won’t see Atlanta United back on the pitch until September 14 vs. Nashville SC — the Five Stripes’ first league match at home in nearly two months — but that doesn’t mean Atlanta players won’t be in action. Bartosz Slisz (Poland), Luis Abram (Peru), and Saba Lobajnidze (Georgia) are with their respective countries as Atlanta’s sole callups during the international window.
Luis Abram, Peru
We’ll start with Abram and Peru as they’re in the midst of CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. La Bicolor on Friday took a 1-0 lead over Colombia in the 68th minute through former NYCFC man Alex Callens, but Luis Diaz headed one in on a corner in the 82nd minute to rescue a 1-1 away draw for the Copa America runners-up. Abram (ironically) had just entered the match for an injured Callens prior to the Colombian goal, starting the evening on the bench.
It was an opportunity missed for Peru, who have yet to win a match in this World Cup qualifying cycle. Their struggles continued on Tuesday with a 1-0 loss at Ecuador as they fell to 0-5-3 in qualifying and remained bottom of the table.
Bartosz Slisz, Poland
UEFA Nations League action is underway, with Slisz and Poland in the competition’s League A based on their ranking in the 2022-23 edition and in a group with Croatia, Portugal, and Scotland.
And things have gotten off to a dramatic start: after seeing a 2-0 lead disappear in the second half, Nicola Zalweski’s successful penalty deep into second-half stoppage time led his team to a 3-2 victory against Scotland in Glasgow. Slisz was an 82nd-minute substitute in that one.
But Poland couldn’t get the better of Croatia in an away match on Sunday, as the hosts won 1-0 on a Luka Modric 52nd-minute goal. Slisz came on in the 62nd minute.
Saba Lobjanidze, Georgia
Georgia won promotion to League B of the UEFA Nations League, grouped with Albania, Czechia, and Ukraine. Georgian football fans are still buzzing over the country’s first-ever appearance in Euro 2024 — in fact, it’s the first matches for Lobjanidze and his national teammates since the continental tournament.
Lobjanidze was an unused substitute as Georgia rolled past Czechia 4-1 on Saturday, and didn’t play in a 1-0 win away to Albania, either.
Does this mean those 3 aren’t available for our game against Nashville?
Depends on play time and when they travel back. Assume Abram and Saba will be available, Slisz would probably be a maybe.
Slisz, Saba, and Abram did not start the first match and only Slisz and Abram came on as a late sub. If that happens again for their 2nd match, I would assume all 3 will be available to play and possibly even start again Nashville
Got a little excited seeing the Georgia final game info but it was the other Saba