Atlanta United midfielder Luiz Araújo will be out for approximately four weeks after suffering a muscle injury while scoring his team’s first goal of the MLS season.
Atlanta confirmed Araujo’s time off Tuesday, meaning they will miss one of their three franchise players for an extended period of time.
The 25-year-old Brazilian kicked off the campaign by scoring the opening goal in a 3-1 win over Sporting Kansas City last Sunday.
Araújo began to limp after depositing the ball at the back of the goal in the 20th minute, holding his right tendon. He tried to continue, but ended up throwing himself to the ground with obvious signs of pain.
Araújo arrived in Atlanta in August from Lille, the reigning French league champion. He scored four goals in 14 MLS games in 2021 and helped lead Atlanta to the playoffs.
Araújo’s injury will allow Dom Dwyer to add more playing time. Dwyer was once one of the best scorers in the league, but has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons. He substituted for Araújo against Kansas City and scored his first goal since 2019.