Atlanta United midfielder Ezequiel Barco was voted the Week 10 Major League Soccer Player of the Week following his performance in Atlanta’s 3-0 win over Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday where he tallied a goal and an assist. It’s the second time he’s won the award the season and he is currently tied for 11th in the league with four goals scored this season. The midfielder is due to join Argentina for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland this week.
With Atlanta taking a one-goal lead into the second half, Barco added an insurance goal in the 42nd minute to push the advantage to 2-0. SKC gave the ball away just outside the top of the box, where Barco ripped a shot from long distance into the bottom left corner of the goal (watch goal).
The 20-year-old then assisted on Josef MartÃnez’s 76th minute goal, finding the forward at the top of the box for the Venezuelan’s second goal of the game to give Atlanta a decisive 3-0 lead (watch assist).
Although not credited on the scoresheet, Barco also played a role in Atlanta first goal. He received a pass from Darlington Nagbe near the center circle and drove the ball through the middle of the field before unleashing a strong right-footed shot toward goal. SKC goalkeeper Tim Melia palmed the ball to his right, but Josef Martinez buried the rebound while clashing with Melia inside the six-yard box (watch goal).
Atlanta United returns to action on Wednesday when hosting Toronto FC (7:00 p.m., FOX Sports Southeast, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game), before Sunday’s match against Orlando City SC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (2:30 p.m., FOX, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game).
In addition to the second time Barco has won the award, it’s now the 11th time an Atlanta United player has won the award. Josef Martinez has won it six times – including four in 2017 – and Miguel Almirón has won it three times.
The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season through both media and fan voting in a process conducted by MLS Communications. A panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) comprises 75 percent of the vote, while a Twitter fan vote represents the remaining 25 percent of voting. NASR consists of members of print, television, radio and online media.
