Good Wednesday morning to y’all! Jackson jumping in here with your Scarves and Spikes daily newsletter.
The transfer news drops have become a little quieter over the past 48 hours, but the Five Stripes still seem to be shopping for a striker. One name available in free agency is one you’ve probably thought about already. If you were Atlanta’s front office, would you pick up the phone and call Josef Martinez?On one hand, there’s an immediate flinch at the idea of another player returning. Miguel Almiron’s second stint at the club hasn’t exactly been a boost to his career and status with Atlanta, especially as one of the highest paid players in the league. On the other, if the season is more or less a wash with lots of rebuild to come, does it make sense to bring in a player fans want to see for one last ride (and a proper goodbye?) while they wait to capture a high profile Designated Player?
Elsewhere, a quote from Atlanta’s newly signed center back Junior Alonso made waves as he discussed the difference between MLS and South American fanbases, and the pressures placed on the players to succeed.
Without context, the quote could be read as a callout towards the Atlanta United fanbase to apply the apparent lack of pressure. In reality, though, Alonso’s observations of the differences in sporting culture only point out that in MLS, without the threat of relegation, apathy becomes the driving emotion in a fanbase. With the stability of keeping your spot in the league despite the season’s results, some of that pressure must come from the players themselves to perform with the same intensity they would elsewhere.
Top Story
Does a Josef Martínez/Atlanta United reunion make sense?
Things didn’t end well, but the door’s never been completely closed to a reunion.
TONIGHT: Live Scarves and Spikes Podcast ahead of Atlanta vs. RBNY
The guys recap the news heavy bye week and look ahead to Atlanta’s first home match in NINETY-FIVE DAYS against Red Bull New York tonight at 7 pm.
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That’s your rundown for today. Have a good one out there!