Atlanta United’s Franco Escobar is expected to miss 6-8 weeks after suffering a broken right clavicle during the team’s first training session on Tuesday.
The injury means Escobar will miss the CONCACAF Champions League game against Herediano in Costa Rica on Feb. 21 and the return game at Kennesaw State on Feb. 28. He may miss the MLS season-opening game at D.C. United on March 3.
This will be the second time in as many seasons that Escobar has missed part of training camp because of an injury. Escobar’s bad luck continued last season. He missed games because of various injuries, including a quad strain, concussion and chest issue.
Escobar developed into a reliable defender last season, scoring one goal in the regular season and two more in the playoffs.
Is it is not yet clear how new manager Frank de Boer plans to use Escobar, so determining how Escobar’s absence will affect Atlanta United’s depth is problematic. If de Boer plans to use Escobar as a centerback, there is still Michael Parkhurst, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez and Miles Robinson. If de Boer plans to use Escobar as a fullback or wingback on the right side, there is still Julian Gressel. The team declined to retain fullbacks Sal Zizzo and Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu following last season. The team also worked out Jon Gallagher at fullback last year with Atlanta United 2.
De Boer could consider moving one of the team’s numerous left-footed fullbacks from that side to the right.
Atlanta United President Darren Eales on Wednesday said he thinks the team has the depth to overcome Escobar’s injury. He said the club is always looking to strengthen the roster, but it is challenging in a salary cap league.
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