ATLANTA, GEORGIA — Atlanta United FC central defender Alan Franco has played the most games for the team in the 2022 Major League Soccer regular season. Franco, a reliable defender, played for 31 total games for the team this year.
Last August 28, Franco nailed his first goal for the team in a 3-2 victory over D.C. United. Atlanta United’s Franco leaped to head past a United goalkeeper on a corner kick from Thiago Almada in the 49th minute. The goal began Atlanta United’s scoring and temporarily tied the game.
Franco joined Atlanta United from Club Atlético Independiente of Argentina’s Primera División in 2021. While Atlanta United has been plagued by injuries this season, particularly on the backline, Franco has consistently been in the back. He’s made 24 appearances this season and was named captain for the second time on Sunday against United.
“I felt that Alan Franco’s goal was outstanding,” head coach Gonzalo Pineda said. “It was an excellent goal,” Pineda added.
Franco hasn’t scored many goals in his career as a real center-back. The goal against United was his first goal in five years. He last scored a goal in the Argentine Primera División with Club Atlético Independiente in 2017.
