Injury Report

Ezequiel Barco picks up quad strain, as Atlanta debut must wait 4-6 weeks

Ezequiel Barco - Atlanta United - winter coat

Atlanta United fans will have to wait a little bit longer to see the man they've been dreaming of all winter make his competitive debut.


The club announced on Wednesday morning that Ezequiel Barco will miss 4-6 weeks with a quadriceps strain suffered in practice on Tuesday. That would appear to rule the 18-year-old Argentine starlet and MLS record transfer signing out of at least Atlanta's first three matches.


If he only missed four weeks, the former Independiente man could conceivably return for the Five Stripes' trip to Minnesota United on Eastern Sunday, April 1. Then his home debut could come either April 7 against New York City FC or April 15 against LAFC.


Atlanta open their season Saturday afternoon with a visit to the Houston Dynamo (3:30 pm ET | Univision, MLS LIVE in Canada).


MLS Fantasy Impact: With Barco ($9.5) out, alternatives include Miguel Almiron, Justin Meram and Maxi Moralez. Start playing!