One came to Atlanta United after a much-reported, dragged-out courtship.
The other came to Atlanta United almost out of thin air.
Together, the play of Ezequiel Barco and Luiz Araujo over the next six games likely will provide the difference between the Five Stripes making the MLS playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons, or missing them for the second consecutive season.
The mysterious arrival of one is impacting the other. Since Araujo’s first game with the team Aug. 18, nine games ago, Barco has scored four of his seven goals and produced three of his six assists this season. That’s the type of production that was expected when he signed after a long on-again, off-again process between Atlanta United and Independiente in 2018. Araujo has one goal and two assists in his nine appearances since arriving from Lille after the team was tied to signing several other players. With striker Josef Martinez and attacking midfielder Marcelino Moreno, a quartet that complements each other well in most games, is bringing out the best in Barco.
“I think, in terms of placing him in a team where we’ve got other players around him so when you’ve got Marcelino, when you’ve got Barco, when you can bring someone in like Luis, and when we’ve got Joseph back firing, it obviously makes it easier for Zeke,” club President Darren Eales said.
Barco said before the season that this fourth season was important for him in terms of fulfilling his goal to play for a club in Europe.
“It felt like there was a different glint in his eye as he was coming into that preseason,” Eales said.
Since returning from the Olympics in Japan, Barco has played consistently with a determination as if he is facing a deadline. That should be construed as positive because, in actuality, there are still several years remaining on the deal between the club and Barco, according to Eales.
The 22-year-old has played every minute of the past 12 games, during which he has scored six goals, including three from free kicks, and notched five assists. He scored one goal with one assist in the previous eight league games.
Eales theorizes that, in addition to the arrival of Araujo, Barco benefited from playing in the Olympics on a talented Argentina team. Barco beat out several talented players to start all three games.
“He was certainly one of the best players on that Argentina team with some real talent, and I think that probably gave him a little bit of that confidence boost,” Eales said. “And now he’s come back, and fair play to him. I mean, you seen it from the free kicks now every time he steps up, you’re thinking this could be a goal. That’s something that we hadn’t seen previously.”
With Barco charging down one side and Martinez occupying centerbacks in the middle of the pitch, Araujo has found freedom on the right to dazzle with dribbling and several examples of pinpoint passing.
His movement down the field is as fluid and surprising as his signing with club was a bit shocking.
Araujo, 25, came to Atlanta United during the summer transfer window after helping Lille win France’s first division and qualify for the Champions League, which was a significant achievement considering that Paris Saint-Germain, one of the world’s bigger-spending clubs, also competes in Ligue 1.
Through scouting and analytics, the Brazilian had been on Atlanta United’s discovery list, which is a list of seven non-league players that, in effect, the club calls “dibs” on should there be an opportunity for acquisition.
Even Eales implied that Araujo was wishful thinking.
“You have a list, but then you’ve got to be realistic about who is on the list,” Eales said.
Still, here he is.
It was a shocking move because players typically don’t leave Champions League clubs in Europe to come to MLS, especially in the prime of their careers.
Eales said the club beat out several competitors to Araujo because of the league’s growing reputation, the team’s success in first few seasons, club Vice President’s Carlos Bocanegra’s experiences and relationships when he played in France, and the ability to put cash in hand.
Lille was looking to offload players because they needed to improve their finances, according to Eales. Bocanegra had a relationship with Christophe Galtier, then Lille’s manager, because he managed him as a player at Saint-Etienne. Because of social media, Araujo could look up Atlanta United, its training ground, its stadium and the league. He also could talk to other players in MLS who speak Portuguese, such as Matheus Rossetto.
“So, we were ready to go for it,” Eales.
Eales said one of the bigger issues, in addition to competition from other clubs, was the early closing of MLS’ transfer window compared with other leagues in Europe. They were competing against a deadline, whereas competitors had more time, meaning Lille could wait. The ability of the club to prove it could pay Lille was a factor.
Now, Araujo, Barco, and their teammates will attempt to help Atlanta United make the playoffs and compete for an MLS Cup.
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