WHO’S REPLACING BARCO? MARTINO NOT SAYING

Though the topic of Ezequiel Barco’s injury was serious, Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino was in a playful mood Thursday as he headed away questions about how he would replace the 18-year-old midfielder.

Martino said Barco’s injury, which happened during Tuesday’s training session, was a shame and they aren’t sure when it hap- pened because he finished the session. Then, Martino was asked how would replace Barco for Saturday’s season-opening game at Hous- ton.

Martino heard the ques- tion. He answered an unasked question.

“We have to be aware that Tito (Hector Villalba) was out for most of the preseason games,” he said. “The natural thing would be to put Tito in the lineup and see how the rest of the pieces fit together.”

Confused by his response, the questioner asked Martino if he was saying Villalba could play on the left, a position he played a few times last year.

“No,” Martino said, switch- ing from Spanish to English. “Tito on the team. Not on the left. I won’t say who is on the left.”

Switching the question to focus specifically on if Miguel Almiron or Julian Gressel could play on the left, Martino pursed his lips and moved his upper body from left to right, which is body language that in the past usually indicates proba- bility, even though he would only agree either is possible.

Still having fun with the topic, asked about midfielder Darlington Nagbe and his best position, Martino ended

his answer by saying he can also play left wing, smiling as he said it.

Martino said the only player among the 19 traveling he won’t consider for left wing is captain and centerback Michael Parkhurst.

Another player who will be among the 19 and who can play as a left midfielder is 17-year-old Andrew Carleton. Martino twice said during the preseason, including once after last week’s draw with Charleston in which Carleton was a bright spot, the Powder Springs native will spend time with the first team this season.

Gonzalez Pirez and Franco Escobar, who like Barco are natives of Argentina, said they have spoken with him since the injury.

Escobar, who just recovered from an abductor injury sustained early in preseason, said he told Barco to remain patient because trying to rush back can make things complicated.

“He was one of the most dynamic players i n the Argentine league last year and I think he will be in this league,” Escobar said.

United buys down Villalba’s deal: To accommodate signing Barco as a Designated Player, Atlanta United used Targeted Allocation Money to buy down the salary of Hector Villalba.

MLS teams are allowed to have just three Designated Players, which are players whose salaries exceed the maximum budget charge, which was $480,625 in 2017.