Some Atlanta United supporters have clamored for its younger players to receive more playing time the past two seasons. What’s next always seems to be better than what’s on hand.
That desire to see more minutes started with the signing of Andrew Carleton when he was 16 and continued last season with cries for more Carleton, as well as more appearances for fullback George Bello.
Most times that he was asked why he wouldn’t use the younger players more, then manager Gerardo Martino would reference the players’ ages. Still, Carleton had eight appearances with two starts in two years. Bello, who will turn 17 next week, had three appearances with two starts last season. Ezequiel Barco, 19, made 26 appearances.
New manager Frank de Boer was asked at his introductory press conference on Monday if he would use the younger players on the roster.
“I will not hesitate to let a young player debut when he’s up to it,” de Boer said. “I did it with Ajax and with Crystal Palace.”
While managing Ajax’s academy and then senior team, de Boer helped develop some of the world’s best players: midfielder Christian Eriksen and centerback Jan Vertongen, to name two.
As Atlanta United President Darren Eales put it, even when a player leaves Ajax, they are always an Ajax player.
That’s the kind of academy system and developmental plan for young players that Atlanta United wants. In addition to Carleton and Bello, the roster includes three more Homegrown Signings in Lagos Kunga, Patrick Okonkwo and Chris Goslin.
“We are obviously focused on first-team results, but part of Atlanta United and part of the club and part of our medium to long-term success is going to be the academy,” Eales said. “It’s really important that we have some who has bought into that idea of this pipeline from the academy through out USL team into the first team.
“No one does that better than Ajax. Frank started his career as a youth team coach at Ajax. He instantly has that understanding of what it is to create a young player. He’s not afraid to play young players. He’s not afraid to use that pipeline.”
Martino should be forgiven for not using the younger players more for a variety of reasons. The first is talent. Atlanta United’s midfield, which is where Carleton was trying to play, is among the deepest and talented in the league. At left fullback, Bello’s position, the team had Greg Garza, Chris McCann, Mikey Ambrose and Jose Hernandez. The team traded Garza in the offseason. Ambrose is working his way back from a knee injury.
But the pipeline may take on added importance this season because Atlanta United’s schedule will expand. In addition to its league games, Atlanta United will also compete in the CONCACAF Champions League, will have an added game with the Campeones Cup, and will attempt to advance past two games in the U.S. Open Cup, which is something it has failed to do in its first two years. All those games will take place in a calendar that the league has shrunk by almost a month this season.
More legs, in some cases younger legs because that’s what is available, may be needed.
“You need minutes,” de Boer said. “He needs that experience. I will give it when they are ready.”
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