The teenage sensation Ezequiel Barco made headlines in MLS even before he stepped foot on the pitch or even signed a contract. The 19-year-old Argentinian arrived in Atlanta via the most expensive transfer fee in Major League Soccer history, costing the club $15 million.
The record-setting fee gave Barco an immediate target on his back for opposing clubs and Atlanta supporters.
After an inaugural season that saw the Five Stripes make the playoffs, Atlanta United failed to bring back Argentinian midfielder Yamil Asad who impressed both fans and managers across the league, while also making Atlanta sports’ history when he scored the club’s first-ever goal in a 2-1 loss against the New York Red Bulls.