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ATLANTA -- Gerardo Martino hasnt spent much time in the United States and admits that he needs to learn more English, yet the coach from Argentina knows enough about Atlanta United that he can hardly wait to start as the first manager of the Major League Soccer expansion club.Before being introduced Wednesday, the 53-year-old former head of Argentinas famed national team looked at facts and then pursued his first job in the U.S.Theres owner Arthur Blank, who also owns the NFLs Falcons, and the fancy downtown Mercedes Benz Stadium hes building for both teams, a $60 million practice facility going up, a roster forming the 22nd MLS team, and a brand already popular.Season tickets are over 22,000, which is surprising for a team that hasnt played, Martino said through a translator. Id like to build a good roster, 28 players . . . that will be able to face other teams at the same level.While guiding Argentina from 2014 until this summer, he led them to a world No. 1 ranking in July of 15. Known widely in the futbol world as, Tata, he also helmed Barcelona FC in 13-14 and has piloted numerous club teams, including Barca.This is a man who prefers a pressure game. So, when he reached out to team officials, United officials caught a flight south.The style we want to play is exciting and Tata, with his tactics and how he can change the game, we think its very interesting and its going to be an integral part of our foundation, said United technical director Carlos Bocanegra.He had a notebook this thick, and he had every single (MLS) team roster and their team shape printed up. So, hed done his homework.Martino has worked with many world-class players, pushing Paraguay to unprecedented heights from 2006-11. Argentina went to last two Copa America Centenario Cup finals under him, losing each time to Chile on penalty kicks.After the latest, his top player and one of the worlds best, Lionel Messi, said he would never again play for his national team, although he has since backslid.Soon, Martino stepped down while citing dysfunction in the organization.He spoke deliberately in English at the beginning of the introduction at the World of Coca-Cola, and even explained that his English will improve by the time the team gathers in January to prepare to play next spring. Then, he turned to a translator.Ive been to Atlanta three times in a month, he said. Ive been to some good restaurants.Likewise, United will keep growing. With an expansion draft, a draft and more free agency additions to come, the roster stands at seven.President Darren Eales and Bocanegra foresee Atlanta rising and hardly seem concerned about Martinos language skills.His wife is an English teacher, so hes going to get some great instruction, Eales said. We expect hell have his English up to scratch.Pro soccer has met with modest success in Atlanta with the Chiefs, the womens Beat, and the Ruckus/Silverbacks either gone or hanging on in the dim light of minor leagues. Yet large crowds have been charged in recent years at international friendlies played in the city, especially when involving Central or South American sides.With the growing strength of the MLS as footing, Blanks predilection for marketing, and lush new digs rising to serve as the brick and mortar, United officials are convinced that Martino will lend shape through gravitas.The ideas in his head will get out one way or another.Ive been in locker rooms around the world where the coach doesnt speak the language that I speak, Bocanegra said. We have people in place, interpreters, people who are bi-lingual, to pass the message along while his English gets better. Sammy Sosa Cubs Jersey . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night. Willson Contreras Cubs Jersey . Both players have lower body injuries that will keep them out of the lineup until at least January 31, which is the first game they can be activated from IR. http://www.thecubsteamshop.com/Cubs-Sammy-Sosa-Kids-Jersey/ . LOUIS -- Valtteri Filppula assisted on three of Tampa Bays four goals, and the Lightning beat the St. Andre Dawson Cubs Jersey . The 43-year-old closer, in his 19th and final big league season, has said hed like to play the outfield. Yankees manager Joe Girardi says hes thinking about allowing Rivera to do it this weekend, when the Yankees finish their season with a three-game series at the Houston Astros. Ron Santo Cubs Jersey . After dropping their final six games of December, the Wild opened the new calendar year with four consecutive wins. Following a loss to Colorado on Saturday, Minnesota rebounded the following night to blank Nashville 4-0, but then had the tables turned on them Tuesday. JACKSON, Miss. -- DeAngelo Ballard passed for 143 yards, including a touchdown, and piled up 155 more yards rushing to lead Alabama A&M to a 27-20 win over Jackson State on Saturday.After falling behind 17-0 in the first half, Alabama A&M (4-6, 4-5 Southwestern Athletic Conference) tied the game when Devonte Simon returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown with 1:08 left in the second quarter. Nick Carden kicked a 34-yard field goal and Ballard connected with Kalias Robertson on an 11-yard TD pass earliier.ddddddddddddA 5-yard touchdown run by Harvey Harris put Alabama A&M on top in the third quarter and Carden padded the advantage with a 29-yard field goal with 1:59 to play. Jordan Bentley had 106 yards rushing.Jackson State (3-7, 3-5) got a 63-yard touchdown run from Joshua Bates and a 1-yard TD throw from Jarin Morikawa to Javancy Jones. Christian Jacquemin had two field goals. ' ' '