The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Barco likely to make United debut today
Team looks to work out some kinks in preseason opener.
NASHVILLE — Atlanta United will play the first of four preseason games today when it takes on Nashville SC at First Tennessee Park.
Perhaps the only thing tempering the excitement of seeing Ezequiel Barco, Josef Martinez, Miguel Almiron and Darlington Nagbe potentially playing together for the first time is the weather forecast: rain and cold temperatures.
“We know it may not look perfect at times but that’s what these games are for,” goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. “Most importantly, (we are) playing football, getting some of the kinks out that come with playing a real game.”
Manager Gerardo Martino said the goal for the opening game is continue the progress the team is making during the preseason so that they are in “the best form possible for the (regular-season opening) game at Houston.”
He said the weather forecast won’t change his player selections.
Nashville SC will play in the second-division USL this season as it transitions into becoming an MLS franchise expected to join the league in 2019 or 2020.
Atlanta United has spent the previous two weeks training in Florida in preparation for the season. After today’s game the team will return to Atlanta for a few days before traveling to Charleston, S.C. where it play its final three preseason games.
Here are some things to watch for today:
1. Will Barco play? The $15 million man, the most expensive transfer in MLS history, should play, unless Martino takes a look at the weather report that as of Thursday showed 100 percent chance of rain and 55-degree temperatures and decides not to risk the hamstrings and ankles of some of the players.
Barco, 18, has been with the team for more than 10 days and has been participating in all drills.
Though right-footed, he is expected to line up on the left in the spot held last season by Yamil Asad.
2. How long will the presumed starters play?
The presumed starters are: Goalkeeper: Brad Guzan; Defenders: Sal Zizzo at right fullback, Jeff Larentowicz and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez as centerbacks and Greg Garza at left fullback; Chris McCann will play holding midfielder, with Darlington Nagbe and Miguel
Almiron up the middle; Barco will start on the left and Julian Gressel on the right.
Hector Villalba, Michael Parkhurst and Franco Escobar will sit as a precautionary measure. Martinez is the striker. Asked if he will use two groups of starters, Martino said no. Instead, he said some starters will play 45 minutes, some 50, some
60. It seems he is going to play it by feel.
3. What about the young players? Martino has said that Andrew Carleton should split time between Atlanta
United and Atlanta United 2, so it seems likely he will play today.
Brandon Vazquez returned to training earlier this week, so he may get a few minutes in a role spelling Gressel.
Jose Hernandez may get a few minutes, assuming that Ambrose comes in for Garza.
Because Martino said he hasn’t seen much of Hernandez before he signs, he may get most of the minutes in the second half. With Larentowicz likely coming in as a centerback, Chris Goslin or Oliver Shannon may come in the second as a holding midfielder in place of McCann.