They may be Argentines by birth, but Ezequiel Barco, Franco Escobar and Eric Remedi will no longer occupy an international roster slot for Atlanta United after the club announced Tuesday that they’ve become permanent U.S. residents.
They join striker Josef Martinez (Venezuela), midfielder/defender Julian Gressel (Germany) and forward Hector Villalba (Argentina) as international players who don’t occupy a Five Stripes' international slot, after they’ve all received green cards. That designation, however, still applies to winger Luiz Fernando (Brazil), midfielder Pity Martinez (Argentina) and defenders Fernando Meza (Mexico) and Anton Walkes (England).
Barco, 20, will be entering his third MLS season since arriving from Independiente as a Young Designated Player. To date, the midfielder has eight goals and sixeightassists across 49 regular-season and postseason appearances.
Escobar, 24, has made 55 appearances (50 starts) across the same span, with five goals and four assists during the regular-season and postseason. A right back, he has also played centrally in a pinch.
Remedi, 24, is a ball-winning midfielder who joined in the summer of 2018 from Banfield. Since, he’s amassed 47 appearances across regular-season and postseason play with one goal and three assists.
Atlanta have already entered preseason for 2020 ahead of their Concacaf Championship League opener Feb. 18 at Honduran club Motagua. They’ll begin their MLS slate Feb. 29 at expansion side Nashville SC.
