Atlanta United Linked to Haitian International Derrick Etienne

Cooper Neil/AFP/Getty Images/WBUR

On Thursday night rumors came out that Atlanta was linked to winger Derrick Etienne from Columbus Crew. Reportedly the Haitian is touring the facilities in Atlanta and talks are progressing well.

This was a signing that many Atlanta fans, myself included, wanted. He had 9 goals and 6 assists in 33 matches in 2022. He’s an above average MLS winger who is coming off of a very good season.

For once, Atlanta isn’t trying to make every signing a blockbuster signing. We’re not signing a 19 year old Argentine for $15M. We’re signing a guy who we know will produce and be a really good player.

This transfer window there have been some very promising signs. Etienne is good, of course, but the Five Stripes were also linked to Enzo Copetti who, while not my pick to replace Josef Martinez, is a very good player, as well as being linked to 30 year old Tigres center back Diego Reyes and 29 year old DC United center back Tony Alfaro. Carlos Bocanegra is on the hot seat and he knows it. He’s finally starting to show some signs of being a good technical director.