No specifics from Martino on replacing Barco

Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino would not say who would start for the injured Ezequiel Barco in Saturday’s season opener at Houston.

Asked specifically who would replace Barco in the midfield after Thursday’s practice session, Martino spoke about forward Hector Villalba and then acknowledged that he had not answered the question. He later spoke about midfielders Julian Gressel, Darlington Nagbe and Miguel Almiron as possibilities. Defender Michael Parkhurst was the only player he mentioned specifically who will not be taking Barco’s left midfield spot.

Barco will miss 4-6 weeks after sustaining a right quad injury in practice on Tuesday. Atlanta United paid a reported MLS-record $15 million transfer fee to sign the 18-year-old Barco.

Martino called the injury to Barco a shame. He also said the team is still not sure when the injury occurred but said that Barco had been bothered by the muscle, but not seriously.

> Return to myAJC.com for full story.

About the Author

Georgia State falls to Marshall in home finale

Georgia State fell to 1-9 on the season with a 30-18 loss to Marshall at home.

Kennesaw State to honor legacy of late coach Amir Abdur-Rahim

When Kennesaw State hosts South Florida on Sunday in a game dubbed “Love Wins,” late coach Amir Abdur-Rahim will be honored during a halftime ceremony.

The Win Column: How to spot sports nonsense

Georgia football coach Kirby Smart did not find twin babies by the side of the road and raise them as his own. Why so much sports-related fan-page slop these days?

The Latest

Credit: Stan Awtrey

Georgia State falls to Marshall in home finale

Kennesaw State to honor legacy of late coach Amir Abdur-Rahim

The Win Column: How to spot sports nonsense

Featured

Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Prosecutor takes helm of Georgia case against Trump. But will he move forward?

A veteran Georgia prosecutor will decide the fate of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' election interference case against Donald Trump and his allies.

With some solar power tax breaks expiring, Georgians rush to catch the sun

Georgia solar installers say they’re seeing a surge of customers trying to install rooftop solar systems before federal tax credits go away at the end of the year.

‘Automatic for the People’: Weaver D’s still bonds Athens as era nears end

After feeding everyone from R.E.M. to Brian Kemp, and coining a phrase that went global, Dexter Weaver is preparing to close his storied Athens soul food restaurant.