Ezequiel Barco

BIOGRAPHY

Ezequiel Barco was born March 29, 1999, in Villa Gobernador Gálvez, Argentina. He is a midfielder in the MLS. 

Barco joined Independiente's youth setup in 2015, from AA Jorge Bernardo Griffa. Promoted to the first team by manager Gabriel Milito in July 2016, he signed his first professional contract later that month. Barco made his first team – and Primera División – debut on 28 August 2016, coming on as a second-half substitute for Jesús Méndez in a 1–0 away win against Belgrano. He scored his first professional goal on 11 September, netting the last in a 2–0 home defeat of Godoy Cruz. Barco finished his first senior season with four goals in 30 league appearances. A starter during the 2017 Copa Sudamericana, he scored the equalizer in the second leg of the Final against Flamengo through a penalty kick. Barco joined Major League Soccer club Atlanta United as a designated player. The transfer fee paid by Atlanta United was reported to be $15 million, an MLS record. Barco made his debut for Atlanta United on 15 April 2018 in a 2–2 draw against New York City FC, coming on as a 70th minute substitute for Kevin Kratz. He scored his first goal for the club on 5 May 2018 against the Chicago Fire. He scored the opening goal as Atlanta United won 2–1. Barco was on the bench for Atlanta United during MLS Cup 2018 against the Portland Timbers. He came as a substitute in the first minute of second-half stoppage time as Atlanta United won 2–0. Barco then won his second trophy with Atlanta United when the club won 3–2 over América in the Campeones Cup, coming on as a late second half substitute. A couple weeks later, on 27 August, Barco was a starter in the U.S. Open Cup final against Minnesota United, helping his side win 2–1.