Midfielder Matias Galarza departs Atlanta United as short-term loan set to conclude

Barring a change in negotiations, the Paraguayan international's time with the Five Stripes is over.

With one game remaining until MS pauses for World Cup festivities in the United States, Atlanta United midfielder Matias Galaraza has left the club and his short-term loan is expected to elapse, ending his time on the roster.

Tata Martino told media today that a permanent contract couldn’t be negotiated to keep the Paraguyan international around.

“The conditions of his original loan make it very difficult, so we'll try to see if there's another way to make it work,” Martino said Friday through a translator. “The current conditions there makes it impossible because it would make him a designated player. So we'll see if there's another way, but it appears difficult.”

Galarza arrived on a loan from River Plate that ran through June 30, with a transfer option this summer. Thanks to Martino, we don’t have to speculate much about the situation — that the terms of the transfer option are too rich for Atlanta and their current cap flexibility.

While Martino’s words signal there’s some hope for an alternate arrangement that would require scrapping the current transfer option in place, the actions — specifically Galarza’s departure a game early by mutual consent — speak differently.

“I think "[Galarza] has served the team well, and I told him that this week when we spoke, that between him and the team it was a mutually beneficial situation. The energy and effort that he provided to the team was helpful, and of course that he was able to play and regain some of his confidence to help make a World Cup squad.”

Galarza’s departure settles a talking point around Atlanta United’s roster as to whether he would stay or go. And while he frees up some money that was counting against Atlanta United’s books, it wouldn’t appear to be a needle-moving amount. He was listed in the most recent MLS Players Association Salary Guide as making $945k in guaranteed compensation, but that may not be a totally accurate reflection of how much money is freed up given the complex nature of his deal.

Martino is correct in saying that he added something Atlanta United needed in it’s ability to be physical and aggressive across the pitch with and without the ball. But ultimately the Paraguyan’s form waned over the last several weeks. Hopefully his time gets him in the Paraguay squad to be announced soon.