Atlanta United: 3 things we learned from away tour

Atlanta United gained just three points from three-straight road MLS games. Here are three things we learned from the disappointing run of form.

Before Atlanta United kicked off an away series of three matches, they had won four straight, all without conceding a goal. Now, deep into May, a month where they play seven matches, and the team’s form has dipped to the point of mirroring their early-2019 mishap.

Atlanta United plays Minnesota United at home next, but after earning just three points from their three-game away series, it is hard to know if we’ll get the Atlanta United from early March or early May.

Here are three things we learned from Atlanta United’s three-game stint away from the Benz.

3. Barco the starlet Atlanta needs

Last season was disappointing from Ezequiel Barco. The club paid somewhere around $15 million for the teenager who only made 18 appearances and had many below-average performances, but this season could be something special for the 20-year-old.

He missed the last three matches of Atlanta’s historic five-game win streak due to his involvement with Argentina’s U-20 side at the U-20 World Cup in Poland and, as his absence carried over to the team’s away stretch, it became increasingly evident that his presence was missed in Atlanta’s attack.

A 1-0 win against a poor Vancouver side that was decided by a penalty kick, and two consecutive one-goal losses, one of which against a 10-man Red Bulls, show just how vital Barco is/will be to Atlanta’s attacking force. In the eight matches he’s played, Barco has clocked four goals and an assist, and he’s shown he can be equipped as a traditional left winger or as a creative second striker just under Josef Martinez.

Those screamers against New England and South Africa could just become snippets on his highlight reel this season.