Atlanta United acquires Daniel Rios on loan from Chivas

Charlotte FC forward Daniel Ríos scores on a penalty kick during a friendly soccer match against Chelsea on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

Charlotte FC forward Daniel Ríos scores on a penalty kick during a friendly soccer match against Chelsea on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

Atlanta United acquired striker Daniel Rios on loan for the rest of the MLS season from Chivas in LIGA MX on Wednesday.

Rios, 29, has scored 61 goals in his career at first-division clubs, which includes playing at Chivas, Nashville and Charlotte, according to transfermarkt.us. Rios scored 12 goals in 57 appearances in MLS.

The loan agreement includes a purchase option.

A native of Mexico, Rios will be expected to compete with Jamal Thiare to backup striker Giorgos Giakoumakis. There’s a chance that Giakoumakis could miss many matches this season if Greece qualifies for the European Championships. Giakoumakis will miss Saturday’s game at Toronto because he was called up by Greece for Thursday’s Euro qualifier against Kazakhstan.

The Euros are scheduled to start June 14, with the championship July 14. If Greece qualifies, Giakoumakis could miss as many as eight of Atlanta United’s matches.

Rios is the second striker from Chivas to come on loan to Atlanta United. Ronaldo Cisneros came on loan during the 2022 season. He scored seven goals in 28 appearances.

Rios will not occupy an International slot. He will occupy a supplemental roster slot.

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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule

Feb. 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0

March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1

March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0

March 23 at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

March 31 vs. Chicago, 3:30 p.m., FOX

April 6 at NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.

April 14 vs. Philadelphia, 2:30 p.m., FOX

April 20 vs. Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.

April 27 at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.

May 4 vs. Minnesota, 7:30 p.m.

May 11 vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.

May 15 at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.

May 18 at Nashville, 1:30 p.m.

May 25 vs. LAFC, 7:30 p.m.

May 29 at Miami, 7:30 p.m.

June 2 vs Charlotte, 4:30 p.m., FOX

June 15 vs. Houston, 7:30 p.m.

June 19 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.

June 22 at St. Louis, 8:30 p.m.

June 29 vs. Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

July 3 at New England, 7:30 p.m.

July 6 at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m.

July 13 at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

July 17 vs. NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.

July 20 vs. Columbus, 7:30 p.m.

July 26 vs. D.C. United in Leagues Cup, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 4 vs. Santos Laguna in Leagues Cup, 4 p.m.

Aug. 24 at L.A. Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.

Aug. 31 at Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 14 vs. Nashville, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 18 vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 21 at Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 28 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 vs. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 5 vs. Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 19 at Orlando, 6 p.m.