Why was Thiago Almada captaining Atlanta United against Miami?

“I just felt it was special for Thiago,” Pineda said. “He has those skills on the field, he carries the weight of the game and always wants the ball… so I thought it was the right decision.”

With Almada as captain, Atlanta United beat Miami 3-1 to end its nine-match winless streak and earn its first road victory this season.

Pineda responded “let’s see, if he starts, maybe” when asked if Almada would captain the team Sunday against Charlotte at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Almada as captain wasn’t the only first for Atlanta United. Josh Cohen made his MLS debut in place of Guzan.

Pineda would not say whether Cohen will start Sunday. He said he thought Cohen played well and communicated well against Miami. Cohen made four saves and completed 63% of his passes. Pineda said Cohen hasn’t had much time to train with three central defenders and build at the back. Miami’s goal, scored by Messi, came from a shot that went through the legs of several players and into the bottom right corner.

“He also really leads the back line, which is a quality that, probably just from watching several games now, he can really handle that, which is a personality that I like,” Pineda said.

The return of Giakoumakis. Pineda said forward Giorgos Giakoumakis was cleared by medical staff to play 15 minutes against Miami. Giakoumakis played a little more because of the stoppages in play. Pineda said he didn’t yet know what Giakoumakis would be allowed to do against Charlotte, whether it would be playing 30 minutes or being able to start and play 60 minutes.

Giakoumakis leads the team with five goals. He suffered a hamstring strain in Cincinnati on May 15.

Jamal Thiare started against LAFC on May 25 and Miami. He scored Atlanta United’s third goal against Miami. He has four goals this season.

Pineda said he hasn’t yet decided who will start against Charlotte.

“I have to think about not only the minutes available for GG, but also the competition in all the positions available, and Jamal did a great job,” Pineda said. “What’s best for the team now, like I said before, focusing on the present and what the team needs this Sunday to win.”

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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule

February 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0

March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1

March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0

March 23 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 0

March 31 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 0

April 6 Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1

April 14 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2

April 20 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1

April 27 Atlanta United 1, Chicago 1

May 4 Minnesota 2, Atlanta United 1

May 7 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte Independence 0 in US Open Cup

May 11 DC United 3, Atlanta United 2

May 15 Cincinnati 1, Atlanta United 0

May 18 Atlanta United 1, Nashville 1

May 21 Atlanta United 0 (5), Charleston 0 (4) in US Open Cup

May 25 LAFC 1, Atlanta United 0

May 29 Atlanta United 3, Miami 1

June 2 against Charlotte, 4:30 p.m.

June 15 vs. Houston, 7:30 p.m.

June 19 at DC United, 7:30 p.m.

June 22 in Saint-Louis, 8:30 p.m.

June 29 c. Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

July 3 at New England, 7:30 p.m.

July 6 at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m.

July 13 in Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

July 17 vs. NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.

July 20 against Columbus, 7:30 p.m.

July 26 against DC United in the League Cup, 7:30 p.m.

August 4 against Santos Laguna in the League Cup, 4 p.m.

August 24 at LA Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.

August 31 in Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.

September 14 vs. Nashville, 7:30 p.m.

September 18 against Miami, 7:30 p.m.

September 21 at the Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

September 28 in Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.

October 2 c. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

October 5 against Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

October 19 in Orlando, 6 p.m.