Atlanta United signs two players from Mexico's Liga MX

Posted June 21, 2022 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Atlanta United attacker Luiz De Araujo, left, celebrates his goal with an assist from attacker Josef Martinez, right, to take a lead over Inter Miami in an MLS soccer match Sunday, June 19, 2022, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) The Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) - Atlanta United has landed two players from Mexico's Liga MX to bolster positions affected by injuries.

The team announced Tuesday it had signed defender Juan JosÃ© Purata on loan from Tigres UANL for the remainder of the 2022 season. A day earlier, it acquired goalkeeper RaÃºl GudiÃ±o of Chivas Guadalajara.

Both will be available to join Atlanta United when the MLS secondary transfer window opens July 7.

The 24-year-old Purata bolster's Atlanta's depth at centerback and, at 6-foot-2, could help defend against set pieces that have troubled the team this season. The team lost star defender Miles Robinson for the rest of the season with a ruptured Achilles.

Purata's contract was acquired on loan, which has an option to extend to 2023 and a purchase option. Technical director Carlos Bocanegra described the newest addition as 'œa talented centerback with an extremely high ceiling.'ť

'œGiven our current situation, we felt the need to bring in another central defender," Bocanegra added.

The 26-year-old GudiÃ±o gives United another option in goal after the loss of captain Brad Guzan, also to a season-ending Achilles injury. Veteran Bobby Shuttleworth took over the No. 1 job after Guzan went down, but Rocco RÃos Novo got his first MLS start this past Sunday in a 2-0 win over Miami.

Atlanta now has a goalkeeper with 164 professional appearances, plus five appearances for the Mexican national team. A free agent, the 6-foot-5 GudiÃ±o was acquired on loan with an option to extend after the 2022 season.

'œHe's a goalkeeper with experience in big environments," Bocanegra said.

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Atlanta United defender Franco Ibarra, left, gets a header against Inter Miami midfielder Bryce Duke during an MLS soccer match Sunday, June 19, 2022, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) The Associated Press

Atlanta United Ronald Hernandez lieson the ground after a play in the first half of an MLS soccer match against the Columbus Crew in Atlanta, Saturday, May 28, 2022. (Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) The Associated Press

FILE - Home of the NFL football Atlanta Falcons and the MLS soccer team, Atlanta United, the Mercedes-Benz stadium is seen, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017, in Atlanta. There are 23 venues bidding to host soccer matches at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File) The Associated Press

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