When Juanjo Purata arrived to Atlanta United from Tigres, the club’s digital team asked the 24-year-old what he wanted fans to know about him. An introductory, “get to know you” kind of question you’ve maybe had to answer before on the first day of class.
“Juanjo, above being a player, is a person who’s very responsible, a hard worker, an honest person, a good person, a good friend and a good colleague,” Purata said. “On the pitch, I'm going to give everything for this crest, for this institution that trusted me and that is trusting me. For the coaching staff, I'm going to make an effort every day to be able to add to what this group is going to do, to be able to fit in as soon as possible. Fans can be sure that I am going to give everything as I am known for. I’m going to give everything for this club, which is so beautiful, and the people here have already welcomed me so well.”
It’s the kind of answer that brings up a singular question: Who talks like that?
Purata, fresh out of Hartsfield-Jackson, immediately decided Atlanta United is a beautiful club worth laying everything on the line for. If it were anyone else, you might be skeptical. After a month with Atlanta United, it’s becoming clear that Purata’s — let’s call it intensity — is genuine. It shows up in his play and in his interactions with the media and, most importantly, in his interactions with his teammates.
Purata’s first appearance for Atlanta United came as a sub in a miserable 3-0 loss to Austin. Before he even took the field, though, you could see Purata working to make an impact. One of those three goals came in the first half when 17-year-old Caleb Wiley misplayed a clearance directly to a waiting Austin attacker. When Atlanta took the field for the second half, Purata, still yet to make his first official appearance, had his hand on Wiley’s back offering a few final words of direction and encouragement.
It almost always seems to be encouragement for Purata. Even at just 24 years old, it’s clear he feels like the oldest brother of a young and inexperienced back line. A back line that has desperately needed a vocal presence to organize, uplift and focus itself over the course of a season where injuries and soft goals have kept Atlanta from the top half of the league defensively.
Purata said he always felt like the young and inexperienced player with Tigres. Over his first five starts, Purata has attempted to take the lessons he learned from his former teammates to lead his new team.
“That's just something that I bring. I think I like to talk, I like to communicate with the guys along the back line, just to try and keep us organized. Try and tell guys you know who's behind them. Just always communicating,” Purata said through a translator. “And it's also about, speaking words of support and encouragement during the games. So I think that's something that I bring. It's something that I've had since I was younger. Maybe a little bit less when I was younger. But you know, as you gain more experience in your career, you become more vocal.”
It’s paid off so far. In the five games since Purata joined the starting lineup against Real Salt Lake, Atlanta United is sixth in MLS in expected goals allowed per game. In the 18 games prior, they checked in at 21st in MLS.
Now, that’s obviously not all Purata. The team as a whole has put together improved performances. But it’s hard not to notice what his day-to-day attitude can do to lift a team. Purata says he’s captained his team at every age group he played in. It’s easy to see why.
“He adds a little bit of leadership to the backline. I think he's been very solid for us as a center back that understands his role and he's been a great addition so far. Obviously, he kind of stabilizes the backline and we like that. So, so far, so good,” Gonzalo Pineda said. “We're very happy with Juanjo on the field. But what I've been telling you — off the field, he's even better. He's a great pro. He's always enthusiastic with his teammates in communication. So he brings a very good vibe in the locker room.”
It’s not only leadership, though. Purata has passed the eye test as a competent defender and his numbers seem to reflect that. Atlanta United were 24th in MLS in the percentage of aerial duels they won on defense before he entered the starting lineup. Since then, they’ve been 11th. Purata is winning about ⅔ of his aerial duels right now, the best mark among Atlanta United defenders this season. In the 462 minutes he’s played, Purata is in the 93rd percentile among center backs for blocks per 90, 69th for clearances per 90 and 72nd for total aerials won per 90.
He’s been a little more of a mixed bag with the ball at his feet, but there are still positives. Despite a low pass completion percentage, he’s constantly looking to progress the ball. He’s in the 93rd percentile for progressive carries per 90 and 88th percentile for progressive passes per 90. However, there’s also this common theme…
Like I said, mixed bag. There’s work to do for him on the ball and more data to gather on him defensively. But, to be fair, Purata is still gaining valuable experience of his own. Despite coming up through their academy and debuting with the first team in 2017, Purata made just 34 appearances for Tigres. It’s going to take some time for him to adjust fully to a regular role in a new team.
“I’ve felt very comfortable so far. And I feel like I've adapted very well to the team,” Purata said. “But I wouldn't say that I'm in a comfort zone because I still think I haven't reached my ceiling yet. I think I have a lot of room to improve. So I do feel like I'm very comfortable with my teammates and we're doing well but we know there's still a lot of things where we can work and continue to improve.”
As his on-field product hopefully improves, so will his role as a leader within the team. In truth, it might be the main reason Atlanta United brought him on loan in the first place. Atlanta checked with Purata’s teammates and former coaches to get a gauge of his personality before they made the move. They rightfully liked what they heard.
Now they’re getting to watch Purata in action and, if they continue to like what they see, Purata may be in Atlanta a little while longer. Atlanta United has an option to extend Purata’s loan through 2023 and an option to buy. There’s no way of knowing what kind of cap hit it would take to add him, but it seems like it will at least be an easy sell to get him to stay.
“I would love to stay here for a long time, I think it's a great club. I really enjoyed being here the way that people around the club treat me. The facilities we have here in the city, the way the team plays. So, I'd like to be here for a long time,” Purata said.
It’s still hard to say what kind of individual talent Purata has on the field. Calling him a locked-in starter might be jumping the gun. But if he wants to stay around and talk for awhile, it ’s going to be hard for Atlanta to say no. He doesn’t talk like anyone else.
