Shea ready for new challenge with United

Escobar to miss 6-8 weeks with broken clavicle.

As a free agent, Brek Shea could have signed with any team in MLS.

He came to an agreement with MLS Cup champion Atlanta United and participated in the team’s first training camp Tuesday.

“Watch them play, it’s an exciting team to watch,” Shea said. “Add in the crowd and the stadium … obviously they won last year. Great city. Great fans. Great organization.”

Shea, 28, spent the previous two years with Vancouver, which declined the option on his contract following the 2018 season. His first five years in MLS were spent with Dallas in his home state of Texas. He did well enough to sign with Stoke City in England’s Premier League in 2012.

After two unproductive years, he returned to MLS with Orlando, where he played in 2015 and 2016.

His MLS totals: 197 appearances, 146 starts, 29 goals and 24 assists.

“His physical ability and soccer ability is very high,” Atlanta United’s Jeff Larentowicz said. “He’s going to help the team for sure.”

Shea started his career as an attacking player. He was moved to fullback in Orlando, which is where he has played most of the past four years with varying degrees of success.

Shea said he prefers to get forward and that he’ll be glad to play left back for Atlanta United because they often are involved in the offense.

New manager Frank de Boer is expected to continue encouraging the fullbacks to get involved in attacks, which is what previous manager Gerardo Martino wanted.

In addition to his speed and height (6 feet 4), Shea’s new teammates seem just as excited to have him for his personality. Larentowicz and Michael Parkhurst both said how much they loved Shea, who they’ve played with him at different camps.

“He’s an eccentric All-American Boy,” Larentowicz said. “We love that.”

Shea laughed at the description.

“I’ll take it,” he said. “I’m from Texas. I’m very American. You guys will learn me as it goes on.”

Shea has developed a reputation as being ... different. He’s posed for photos with guns. He’s posed for photos wearing genie pants. He likes to fish. He likes fashion. He appreciates art and is an artist. He likes to create things.

“Don’t believe everything you read, though,” Shea said. “I’m easygoing and like to have fun. Don’t really care about people’s opinion when things don’t really matter.”

He has also developed a reputation along the way as tough to keep focused. To be fair, since returning to MLS he has played on two poor Orlando sides and a Vancouver side that fired its coach before the end of the 2018 season.

Shea said that’s in the past.“New manager, new team for me here,” he said. “What does he want? What can I do for him? How can I help him?”

Escobar out: Atlanta United’s Franco Escobar is expected to miss 6-8 weeks after suffering a broken right clavicle during the team’s first training session Tuesday. The injury means Escobar will miss the CONCACAF Champions League game against Herediano in Costa Rica on Feb. 21 and the return game at Kennesaw State on Feb. 28. He may miss the MLS season-opening game at D.C. United on March 3.

This will be the second time in as many seasons that Escobar has missed part of training camp because of an injury. Last season he missed games because of various injuries, including a quad strain, concussion and chest injury.

Escobar developed into a reliable defender last season, scoring one goal in the regular season and two more in the playoffs.