Atlanta United’s first look under interim head coach Stephen Glass will come without Ezequiel Barco, who reportedly suffered a "knock" in training.
The Argentine midfielder was absent from the match day roster for Saturday’s rematch against Nashville SC (7 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+, on DAZN in Canada), leaving the Five Stripes without their leading overall scorer.
Barco has two goals and one assist on the year, with Atlanta looking to recover from a lackluster showing at the MLS is Back Tournament that resulted in head coach Frank de Boer and the club mutually agreeing to part ways.
Barco’s absence places an even greater emphasis on countryman Pity Martinez shouldering the offensive load, though the Designated Player has just five goals in 37 games since signing from River Plate. New winger Jurgen Damm also wasn't available, while new forward Erick “Cubo” Torres is on the bench. Atlanta, of course, are without star forward Josef Martinez for the year after a torn ACL.
Since arriving from Independiente in 2018 for a reported $15 million transfer fee, Barco has 10 goals and seven assists through 46 games. He missed portions of of last summer through injury, and also featured for Argentina at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
