Time to re-sign another Atlanta United legend?
Now that Miggy is back...anybody else we need to take a look at?
In the midst of the triumphant return of Five Stripes legend Miguel Almiron, are there any other former Atlanta United players that should be on the radar of the front office for a possible return to the club?
Surely none of this will happen right now…but here are three former players that could deserve a second look in an Atlanta United kit. Each player brings something the Five Stripes will need to get back to the summit of MLS.
Franco Escobar: Physical presence in the lineup
It’s hard to not remember the incredible run of form the Five Stripes enjoyed when “Playoff Franco” came alive in the 2018 postseason scoring two goals, adding an assist in MLS Cup and earning a spot in the MLS Playoffs Best XI. The 29-year-old, proven MLS veteran (134 game with 116 starts) has played for LAFC and Houston since his 2021 departure from Atlanta United and doesn’t require an international roster spot due to obtaining citizen status while previously with Atlanta. Escobar has been a regular in the Houston lineup playing 52 times (starting 45 times) for the Dynamo over the last two seasons. His $475K annual salary seems like a bargain to bring in a solid defensive option with a few years still in his legs. His crunching tackles do earn him some cautions (25 yellows and 1 red in 2023 and 2024) but Atlanta will need a strong, physical presence in the lineup to protect the playmakers.
Julian Gressel: Dangerous service from the flanks
The 2017 MLS Rookie of the Year has bounced around MLS since his 2019 exit from Atlanta playing for DC United, Vancouver, Columbus, and Inter Miami. Gresselmania made 98 appearances for Atlanta before adding another 179 MLS appearances over his 8-year MLS career. One of the best flank players in the league during his first stay in Atlanta, Gressel served in 35 assists with his signature driven crosses over three seasons wearing the Five Stripes and now sits at 78 career assists. Gressel still has his lethal services and provided 12 assists for Miami in 2024 adding a goal in 2366 minutes of play. His $1 million-dollar contract might be slightly overvalued but at age 30 he can still cook up some wicked service on the wings that just might provide the value for the investment all the way to another MLS Cup?
Ezequiel Barco: Lethal free kicks and playmaking balance
At just 25 years old, Barco is entering his prime after leaving the Five Stripes in 2022 to go on loan to River Plate. The crafty attacking midfielder is still looking to be a major part of the Argentine National Team and currently earns $1.4 million per year playing for Spartak Moscow on a three-year contract set to expire at the end of June in 2027. Pairing a more mature Barco with Miguel Almiron in the Atlanta midfield could be the catalyst to elevate Barco to the next level of play in the international game as he looks to become the new playmaker for La Albiceleste. Barco was an MLS All-Star in both 2018 and 2019 and part of all three of Atlanta United’s Cup victories (MLS Cup 2018, US Open Cup 2019, Campeones Cup 2019). He charged out of the gates in 2021 being an early season MVP candidate and scored some brilliant goals off set pieces in 2021 earning Goal of the Week honors. Atlanta could really use these dangerous free kicks as part of the Five Stripes attacking arsenal once again. Barco has 8 goals (4th in goals) and 6 assists (3rd in assists) in 17 matches this season in the Russian Premier League as Spartak sit in third place just two points out of first place. Would Spartak even consider selling him at this time?
Agree of disagree? Just makes you wonder what could these players could add during the 2025 season wearing the Five Stripes?