The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Villalba, Barco are ready for super-sub roles in MLS Cup
Though he admits it hasn’t been easy coming off the bench, Atlanta United’s Hector Villalba said he’s ready to do so again if he’s not in the starting lineup for the MLS Cup.
“Of course it’s been difficult because I’m used to being a starter, but the most important thing is the team and for us to win this championship, so that’s my priority,” Villalba said in advance of Saturday’s game against Portland at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Villalba, who started 21 games in 28 appearances with seven goals and nine assists during the regular season, has formed an effective partnership with Ezequiel Barco as super subs during the playoffs. Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino said bringing them on is like adding another Josef Martinez and Miguel Almiron, the team’s two MVP candidates.
Villalba has come on as a sub in the four playoff games, scoring one goal on an astounding seven shots in 77 minutes.
“Whether you are coming off the bench or playing 90 minutes, it doesn’t matter, you have to be focused and just ready to go because you never know what’s going to happen,” Villalba said.
While Villalba has been a scoring threat, Barco has helped the defense by serving as a passing outlet to break an opponent’s pressure. Barco is a skilled dribbler and adept at winning fouls, which can give his team a few seconds to compose itself. After 19 starts in 26 appearances with four goals and three assists during the regular season, Barco has come off the bench for a total of 16 minutes, winning two fouls.
“We just try to take everything calmly and do everything the coach asks of us because that’s how we feel we can help the team,” Barco said.
Escobar promises new victory dance: It includes a stomp, one foot and then the other as you move sideto-side. Throw in a shoulder shimmy. Mix it together into one dance move that Atlanta United supporters have taken to.
It can be called the Escobar, after Atlanta United’s Franco Escobar, or the Barco, after teammate Ezequiel Barco.
The two were filmed doing different versions of the dance — Barco’s was more stationary than Escobar’s — which was shared on social media while celebrating the team’s berth in the MLS Cup after advancing past the New York Red Bulls in Harrison, N.J.
“That dance doesn’t exist,” Escobar said. “We just invented it in the moment out of pure joy.”
Barco said he told Escobar if Atlanta United wins the MLS Cup, they will have to celebrate. Escobar seemed in. “Hopefully, because if we are dancing it means we have won, so I promise we will have another dance,” he said.
South American flavor: Saturday’s MLS Cup will have a distinctively South American feel.
Atlanta United’s roster includes eight players, as well as Martino, from countries in South America. Five, as well as Martino, are from Argentina. Two, including MVP Martinez, are from Venezuela. One, Almiron, is from Paraguay.
Portland’s roster includes nine players, as well as manager Giovanni Savarese, from countries in South America. Four, including Diego Valeri and Sebastian Blanco, are from Argentina, three from Colombia, one from Paraguay and one from Peru. Savarese is from Venezuela.
“I think it has to do with the quality of the Argentine players, or South American players, that there are a lot in this game,” said Villalba, an Argentine. “It’s special.”
Savarese said MLS is becoming a league of priority for South Americans. Part of the attraction is the quality of the league, according to Escobar, an Argentine.
“You are seeing more South Americans, especially young players coming into this league and making it a stronger league,” he said. “That’s going to continue to happen.”
“I think they’ve all taken the league seriously and are given their maximum effort,” he said. “They know it’s a difficult league with good teams and players. If you come here expecting it to be an easy league, then you are making a mistake, but I think all those guys, you’ve seen the effort they’ve put in, and that’s why there are so many Argentines in the final.”