Atlanta United linked to another Argentine U-22 defender
San Lorenzo left back Elias Baez could join Atlanta United on another U-22 transfer.
Now here’s a trend. Atlanta United is reportedly in hot pursuit of San Lorenzo left back Elias Baez, 21, as another U-22 signing according to The Honorable and Esteemed Thomas Bogert.
The news comes off the heels of the team making a similar signing in Tomas Jacob last week, a playerwho profiles as a defensive right back or center back. At a reported $3 million transfer, Baez would be a slightly cheaper deal than Jacob (reported $5m). As a reminder: transfer fees for U-22 players are unlimited by MLS and don’t count against the overall team Budget Charge.
What’s notable about these (potential) signings is an indication that Atlanta United has decided upon a new strategy for utilizing its U-22 slots. Previously, that strategy was…. well, there was no U-22 strategy. That’s the way Garth Lagerwey preferred it during his tenure, perhaps partly as a recoil from the team winding up with too many U-22 players on its books under Carlos Bocanegra. Regardless, Atlanta United is yet to find a recipe for these slots that provides requisite value, so perhaps this clear new strategy of using them on athletic outside defenders can return starting-caliber performances.
Baez’s addition in particular would reinforce a LB spot that saw Pedro Amador come down to Earth after his ripping hot start to his Atlanta tenure. While Amador felt like an ideal left back player profile, there was little natural depth at the position, and Baez would help. He is said to have one of the fastest rising stocks in Argentina, making his debut in 2024 due to injury crisis and ultimately winning the starting job and has remained starter since the age of 20. He profiles as an aggressive defensive ball-winning type of fullback, almost directly in contrast to Amador’s more technical skillset.
But is another multi-million dollar transfer on a defender shooting too low for value? The team remains in desperate need of creative wing play, while players like Amador, Matt Edwards and potentially Ronald Hernandez have shown some suitability in these fullback roles. Does Tata Martino prioritize having a strong defensive unit locked down before building out the attack? Are these players simply more available to add to the roster at the current time given the team’s tight cap space or the asking salaries of the players coming in? Time will tell as the transfer window churns on.