Atlanta United receive unexpected injury boost for defense

Atlanta United goalkeeper and captain Brad Guzan is back in first team training after suffering an MCL injury in April.

The Five Stripes welcomed their veteran shot stopper back to training just over a month after it was announced that Guzan would be out for roughly 10-12 weeks with a torn MCL in his left knee. However, the recovery process for the former USMNT goalkeeper appears to have sped up tremendously.

Although Atlanta has conceded the second most goals in the MLS (18), Guzan was able to keep two clean sheets before missing a month of action. The Eastern Conference team hopes to have Guzan back in action in the next few weeks as he's already ruled out for Saturday's clash with Charlotte FC.

Atlanta's strong start to the 2023 season has been halted by consecutive losses against Nashville and Inter Miami. However, the Five Stripes are still in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 18 points. They will look to rebound against the above-mentioned Charlotte FC and Colorado Rapids at home.

Brad Guzan has won nearly everything with Atlanta - the MLS Cup in 2018 and the US Open Cup in 2019. However, Atlanta may need to start looking at the future regarding the goalkeeper position as this is Guzan's second major injury in the last two years.