Atlanta United has a six-player bench for Wednesday’s game at Toronto because midfielder Andrew Carleton couldn’t travel with the team after not having his passport when the team met on Tuesday to fly to Canada.
Soccer teams have seven-player benches for official matches.
Carleton, a 19-year-old Powder Springs native, was said by manager Frank de Boer earlier this season as needing to improve his maturity and professionalism.
Carleton was the team’s first Homegrown Signing. At the time, the team beat other suitors, including teams in Europe, to sign him.
But Carleton’s career has yet to take off with the team. He started just two league games as part of eight appearances in two seasons under previous manager Gerardo Martino.
Carleton was suspended from last season’s MLS Cup game, as well as the team parade, after it defeated Portland to win the title.
Carleton was thought to have new chance to impress when Martino was replaced by de Boer, who has a reputation of developing young talent. But Carleton has yet to start an MLS game this season. Playing for Atlanta United 2, Carleton has one assist in seven appearances this season.
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