By now you’ve probably heard the hype about Ezequiel Barco, Atlanta United’s hotly-anticipated, record-breaking new signing. On Wednesday night, he gave MLS observers his first real taste of what all the fuss is about.
Handed the start out on ATLUTD’s left flank, the 18-year-old attacking phenom scored his first goal in his new club’s colors to help the Five Stripes draw 1-1 with their expansion siblings Minnesota United in Carolina Challenge Cup action at MUSC Health Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina.
Barco and his Atlanta teammates had created plenty of danger over most of the match, but the clinical strike arrived in the 85th minute after Kevin Molino had given the Loons a second-half lead from the penalty spot.
Receiving a pass from Mikey Ambrose along the touchline at midfield, Barco slashed in from the wing and bamboozled two defenders with quick cuts to his right before lashing a dipping blast just inside Minnesota goalkeeper Matt Lampson’s far post.
“I’m happy I was able to help the team tonight,” Barco told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution afterwards. “I’m happy with the goal. I’m happy to be gaining confidence. It’s a little bitter, the result, but I’m happy to get the goal.”
The Five Stripes are now 1-1-1 in preseason play, which they wrap up on Saturday vs. tournament hosts Charleston Battery before opening the regular season at Houston in a nationally-televised match on March 3 (3:30 pm ET | Univision in US).
