Atlanta United’s Barco called up by Argentina for U20 World Cup

Atlanta United's Ezequiel Barco.

Atlanta United's Ezequiel Barco.

Atlanta United is about to begin the busiest stretch of its MLS schedule without one of its best players after it was announced on Friday that Ezequiel Barco was named to the Argentina Under-20 national team for the World Cup.

Atlanta United will play at Sporting KC on Sunday in the first of eight games in 28 days. Barco will join the Argentina team on Monday.

The U20 World Cup begins in Poland on May 23 and ends on June 15. Argentina will face South Africa on May 25, Portugal on May 28 and South Korea on May 31 in the group stage.

Barco leads Atlanta United with three goals. He has eight appearances for Argentina’s U20 national team.

Hector Villalba would likely be Barco’s replacement in the starting lineup for Atlanta United manager Frank de Boer.