FOOTBALL: Barco to MLS

Atlanta United technical director Carlos Bocanegra played down expectations this week that will accompany the record price paid the team paid for 18-year-old Argentine Ezequiel Barco. The 5’5” midfielder, was acquired for an MLS-record transfer fee of US$15 million from Independiente and was presented at a press conference on Thursday.

Bocanegra said Barco brings more of the dynamic, attacking style that Atlanta are seeking, yet he asked fans to be patient as Barco adjusts to the MLS.”I think the signing of Ezequiel speaks to the style of player we like to bring to the club, young and attack-minded,” Bocanegra said. Barco said he has enjoyed his first two weeks of training and one preseason game as he adjusts to playing under Atlanta manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino, also from Argentina. Barco confirmed he made an undisclosed financial donation to his former team in Argentina. “It was a gesture that Independiente deserved,” he said. “They gave me a chance so I wanted to say thank you.”