Atlanta United Vs FC Cincinnati: 3 key players to watch – Replacing Josef Martinez

1. George Campbell/Laurence Wyke

Fans and media are so caught up in Josef Martinez’s injury that another injury has gone under the radar. Franco Escobar left the Nashville match at halftime with an apparent quad issue. As a result, Laurence Wyke, an emergency signing from Atlanta United 2, played the entire second half in Escobar’s place.

Unfortunately, Escobar missed training every single day this week, which means Wyke may get the start against Cincinnati. George Campbell is another option for one of the three center-back spots as Miles Robinson continues to rehab a quad injury of his own. George Bello and Edgar Castillo are also working their way back from injury, but it seems unlikely that either will appear this Saturday.

Fernando Meza and Anton Walkes are penciled in starters along the three-man backline, but there is uncertainty regarding that third spot. Again, Escobar and Robinson are not available for selection this weekend. Castillo and Bello are back in training with the first team, but it’s likely that neither are ready for game minutes. That leaves Wyke and Campbell.

Campbell saw a healthy amount of minutes in the team’s preseason matches, appearing against Birmingham Legion and replacing the injured Robinson against Leones Negros. His performance against Leones Negros in relief of Robinson in Mexico was subpar and he hasn’t seen any first-team minutes since. Wyke filled in admirably for Escobar on the road against Nashville but showed flashes of inexperience that could be exploited.

Regardless of who starts in that third center-back spot, they will be crucial to Atlanta United’s set-up. De Boer relies heavily on the three center-backs to provide defensive cover across the pitch and a foundation to build out from the back and play forward. Wyke or Campbell, whoever it may be, will be a major factor in both processes.