Ezequiel Barco will not be available to play for Atlanta United in Saturday’s MLS game against Columbus at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Manager Frank de Boer on Thursday said that Barco is recovering from a small muscle injury on the outside of his knee. His status is week to week.

“It’s not that bad, but it’s still a long season and we want to get him fit for the playoffs, it’s the most important thing,” de Boer said. “If we take the risk, then he’s really out. We don’t want that.”

Barco, 20, has four goals and two assists in 13 league appearances this season. He suffered his recent injury in the win over Minnesota in the U.S. Open Cup. He didn’t participate in the loss at Philadelphia on Aug. 31. Emerson Hyndman started in his place as the attacking midfielder in the 3-4-1-2 formation.

Andrew Carleton missed a few days of training because of a cold. A decision on his status will be made Friday.

Carleton, a 19-year-old native of Powder Springs, has three appearances totaling 64 minutes this season.  He scored two goals for Atlanta United 2 in its 3-2 win over Ottawa in a USL game Sept. 7.

October 21, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta United midfielder Andrew Carleton gets off a shot on goal between Chicago Fire defenders Brandon Vincent and Brandt Bronico during the second half in a MLS soccer match on Sunday, Oct 21, 2018, in Atlanta.   Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

icon to expand image

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta United forward Emmanuel Latte Lath (left) scores a goal during the Leagues Cup match against the Pumas UNAM at Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday Aug. 2, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Mitch Martin/Atlanta United)

Credit: Mitch Martin/Atlanta United

Featured

Fulton DA Fani Willis (center) with Nathan J. Wade (right), the special prosecutor she hired to manage the Trump case and had a romantic relationship with, at a news conference announcing charges against President-elect Donald Trump and others in Atlanta, Aug. 14, 2023. Georgia’s Supreme Court on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, upheld an appeals court's decision to disqualify Willis from the election interference case against Trump and his allies. (Kenny Holston/New York Times)

Credit: NYT