Atlanta United center back Leandro González Pirez knew of head coach Tata Martino but had never spoken to him personally until he received a phone call from his soon-to-be new manager in January.
Fast forward five months, and the 25-year-old Buenos Aires, Argentina, native has started each of Atlanta’s first 14 games and become a key piece of Martino’s backline.
Atlanta acquired González Pirez from Argentine side Estudiantes de La Plata on January 26, 2017. Until talks got serious, the defender said he didn’t know much about MLS, although he had heard that it was a physical league and progressing.