ATL United: Rossetto out for CONCACAF Champions League opener

Rossetto out for CONCACAF Champions League

Go ahead soccer – football for some – fans. Get pumped. The matches that count are right around the corner, as Atlanta United will kickoff CONCACAF Champions League play in the round of 16 vs F.C. Motagua on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 10 PM ET. Unfortunately for the Five Stripes, recently acquired midfielder Matheus Rossetto, who has gotten in an impressive half of play this preseason with United, will not be in the mix for Coach Frank de Boer’s attack when they hit the pitch in Honduras.

Rossetto, acquired earlier this month from Athletico Paranaense (Brazil), was brought in to shore up the midfield for United and possibly even contend to start with his offensive-minded approach. That, however, will not be in store next week due to a delay in his acquiring a P-1 Visa. That’s a blow to the depth at the position, but with veteran Jeff Larentowicz as well as Eric Remedi, Emerson Hyndman, and Mo Adams most likely to hold down the fort, all is certainly not lost.

For those unfamiliar with how the CONCACAF Champions League is formatted, there are two “legs” of each matchup in every round. What this means for United is that they will play the first leg down in Honduras and then return to Georgia to play the second 90 minutes against Motagua at Fifth Third Bank Stadium one week later on Feb. 25. Which ever team holds the goal advantage after the entire 180 minutes advances.

United is participating in the CONCACAF Champions League for the second straight year, qualifying this time around via their U.S. Open Cup win last summer.

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