Atlanta United FC have been bitten by the injury bug again.

The club announced Tuesday that defender Ronald Hernandez will be out three to four months with right knee injury. Per a release from the club, Hernandez injured his MCL in Atlanta’s 2-1 loss to the Columbus Crew on Saturday.

Hernandez, 24, had appeared in seven league matches for the Five Stripes this season, starting in five of them. This is his second season with Atlanta United, after he started eight of the 13 matches he appeared in during the 2021 season.

The fullback joins a gaggle of fellow Atlanta starters on the long-term injury list. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan and centerback Miles Robinson are both dealing with Achilles injuries, Andrew Gutman has an injured quad and defensive midfielder Ozzie Alonso tore his ACL in April.

It’s unclear if Hernandez will need surgery on his knee, but Atlanta said that he will not join the Venezuelan national team during the upcoming international window. Venezuela is set to face Malta and Saudi Arabia in June friendlies.

With Gutman and Hernandez both out with injuries, Atlanta could shop for an outside back when the secondary transfer window opens on July 7.

Atlanta is currently in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings with a 4-5-4 record (16 points). The Five Stripes are off until June 19, when they’ll host Inter Miami CF.

–Field Level Media