Atlanta United’s Ezequiel Barco continues to produce

Ezequiel Barco never has been more productive or important for Atlanta United’s success than he has been in the past few games.

After a goal and an assist in Wednesday’s 4-0 win against Cincinnati, Barco has played a part in nine of Atlanta United’s past 15 goals. The team is 6-1-1 in those games and has climbed into seventh place and into the playoff scenarios. It will host D.C. United on Saturday.

“I think he has a very high ceiling,” manager Gonzalo Pineda said. “I don’t think we are still seeing the best Barco. But what we were seeing just now is very good.”

Barco, 22, has career highs in goals (six) and assists (five) in 16 appearances this season. HIs previous highs from 2018-20 were four and three.

Five of the goals and four of the assists this season have happened since Barco returned from competing with Argentina in the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He has competed in only one game, the 2-0 loss to Nashville, in which he didn’t contribute to a goal.

His goal against Cincinnati came on a well-taken free kick in the 86th minute. Barco curled it around the wall and into the lower right corner. That goal came on the heels of him last week winning the MLS Goal of the Week for his effort against Orlando, in which he dribbled past three defenders to slot a right-footed shot into the right corner.

His assist against Cincinnati came on Josef Martinez’s second goal in the 55th minute. It was a simple pass but well-timed for Martinez. It showed anticipation and selflessness by Barco.

Barco’s production may be tied to his desire to play in Europe. He said before the season that this would be an important year toward fulfilling that goal.

Or it may be because, as teammate Josef Martinez said, that Barco is happy.

Ask Pineda about Barco, and he almost always references his work rate. Whether it’s a tackle in the final seconds of a game or sprinting at a goalkeeper in a lost cause to reach a ball in the first seconds, Barco doesn’t stop.

Pineda said Barco does the same in training to the point that he worries about him because “he kills himself” in every practice and game.

“He goes and performs in every training session, and the same way that you just saw scoring goals, counter-pressing, running behind creating chances for his team,” Pineda said. “And that’s what has amazed me about Barco, he’s very hungry.”

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