Atlanta United began preparing for Saturday’s game against LAFC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium without Jeff Larentowicz, Franco Escobar and Ezequiel Barco in Tuesday’s training session.
Larentowicz, a midfielder who has started each of the season’s first four games, sustained an ankle injury in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Minnesota United.
Barco, the most expensive transfer in MLS history, has yet to play after sustaining an injured quad in practices before the season-opening game at Houston.
Escobar, a defender who started the first three games, sustained a concussion in the season’s third game against Vancouver.
Those players could return in time for Saturday’s game. Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, however, will be suspended after receiving two yellow cards in the first half against Minnesota United.
If Larentowicz doesn’t return, manager Gerardo Martino will have some tough decisions to make. Larentowicz, has often been slotted as a centerback to fill in for Michael Parkhurst or Gonzalez Pirez whenever either hasn’t been able to play because of injury or suspension.
If Larentowicz can’t play, the only other natural centerback who could play beside Parkhurst is Miles Robinson, who has yet to log a minute in MLS since he was selected with the No. 2 pick in last year’s SuperDraft. Robinson has started the first two games for Atlanta United 2 and performed well, according to coach Scott Donnelly. Chris McCann has played centerback in a three-man backline, and fullback in a four-man backline with Atlanta United, but has yet to play centerback in a four-man backline. Sal Zizzo, naturally a fullback, said he can also play centerback.
Parkhurst said he has no preference regarding who could line up beside him against LAFC, which has scored nine goals in its first three games.
“Whoever it is is going to be more than capable,” Parkhurst said.
Midfielder Andrew Carleton (strep throat) returned to training.
Fullback Greg Garza sustained a right shoulder injury in the game at Minnesota. It was the same shoulder that was injured in last year’s All-Star game. He didn’t train Tuesday, but did meet with the media Tuesday, which is a good sign regarding his status for Saturday.
Garza said he couldn’t move his right arm much in the final minutes of Saturday’s game.
“It’s one of those things I have to live with until I fix it and I don’t want to fix it right now,” Garza said.
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