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.
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