The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Barco’s status remains unclear
Will he start, where will he play against Galaxy on Saturday?
Jeff Larentowicz, who has seen a lot in his 363 regular-season appearances in MLS, knows exactly where teammate Ezequiel Barco will play this weekend:
“In Los Angeles, for Atlanta United,” he said. Ha!
But two questions dominating Atlanta United conversations this week ahead of Saturday’s game against the Galaxy are:
■ Will Barco start?
■ What position will he play?
Barco, the most expensive transfer in MLS history at a reported cost of $15 million, made his debut in Atlanta United’s 2-2 draw Sunday with NYCFC. He came on for midfielder Kevin Kratz in the 70th minute and slotted in on the right side of the midfield. Though rightfooted, he was played as a left-sided midfielder during training camp and the preseason. He can also play striker.
Barco’s teammates were as curious as the team’s supporters about how he may be used this week because it’s been a while since they’ve consistently seen him in action.
“He’ll be somewhere close to the front line, on the wing or attacking midfield,” team captain Michael Parkhurst said. “I honestly don’t know what his best position is. It provides us flexibility.
“If I don’t know where he’s going to play, for sure L.A. Galaxy won’t know where he’s going to play. Little surprise for them as well.”
It seems likely that he will play. Hector Villalba, who has been the second striker, didn’t play last week and didn’t train with the team through Wednesday’s practices because of a hamstring strain. He is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game. Barco seems a natural replacement.
“Obviously a guy we think highly of and paid a lot of money for,” Parkhurst said.
Manager Gerardo Martino: “He just needs to get more game rhythm. That’s all he’s missing at the moment. We know he’s a new player on the team. He hasn’t been training since the preseason. It’s logical that he needs to get know his teammates on the field and get to play with them more.”
Still, Barco had moments with one shot and taking on defenders near the penalty box. And he’s looked even better in training this week than he did in the preseason, according to his teammates.
“He’s got that explosive first step,” Parkhurst said. “Maybe not over 30-40 meters, but those quick combinations where he’s passing and moving and tough one-on-one in small, tight spaces, you could see it out there.”