Franco Escobar

Escobar, 25, spent his entire professional career in Argentina’s Primera Division with Newell’s Old Boys before joining Atlanta United. The Argentine defender started 20 of the 22 matches he played during his first season in 2018. Following a tactical change from Tata Martino, Escobar started every MLS Cup Playoff match at right wing back and was one of the stars that helped Atlanta United hoist MLS Cup for the first time. He scored two goals and had one assist during the playoff run, including a goal in the MLS Cup Final against Portland. In his second MLS season in 2019, Escobar posted career highs in appearances, starts, minutes and assists as part of a back line that led the league with 14 clean sheets.

Escobar made his professional debut with Newell’s June 7, 2015 against Boca Juniors. He went on to make 15 starts in his first season in Argentina’s top-flight, all at right back. The Rosario native made 34 total appearances in the Primera Division, splitting time between center back and right back.

2020 (Atlanta United): Made 19 starts across all competitions. Started all 16 of his league appearances, splitting time between center back and right back. Recorded two assists. Concacaf Champions League: Made three starts. Started both legs of Atlanta’s Round of 16 matchup against FC Motagua and the second leg of the quarterfinals against Club América.

2019 (Atlanta United): Escobar started 22of his 25league appearances after missing time at the beginning of the season due to injury, playing both center back and right back for a defense that kept a league-high 14 clean sheets. The defender posted career highs in appearances, starts, minutes (2012) and assists (3).Scored one goal against Minnesota United in a 3-0 win on May 29. MLS Cup Playoffs: Started and played 90 minutes in Atlanta’s three matches.Scored the game-winning goal in Atlanta’s first round 1-0 win over New England Revolution. U.S. Open Cup: Started team’s first four matchesduringAtlanta’s run to the 2019 US. Open Cup title. Campeones Cup: Started and played 90 minutes in Atlanta’s 3-2 win against Club América.

2018 (Atlanta United): Escobar made an immediate impact in his first season with Atlanta United. The Argentine defender started 20 matches during the regular season, making a total of 22 appearances. He was used at right back early in the year, before making a tactical switch to a new position, right wing back, later on. He played a total of 1,789 minutes in the regular season and accumulated 14 total shots. His first MLS goal came on October 21 in a 2-1 victory against Chicago Fire. He earned his first MLS Team of the Week honor during that week as well. MLS Cup Playoffs: Escobar started and played the full 90 minutes in all five playoff matches. In the opening leg against New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference Championship, Escobar delivered a Man of the Match performance with one goal and one assist. He then capped off his first season with Atlanta by scoring the second goal in the 2-0 MLS Cup Final victory against Portland. US Open Cup: Played in his first U.S.Open Cup match on June 6 against the Charleston Battery. Helped lead the Atlanta defense to a clean sheet in the 3-0 Open Cup victory.

2017/18 (Newell’s): Escobar made one appearance against River Plate (Nov. 26) and played all 90 minutes in a 3-1 win.

2016/17 (Newell’s): Escobar made 12 appearances, all starts and helped lead Newell’s to finish in 11th place, qualifying for the 2018 Copa Sudamericana. He made one appearance in the Copa Argentina, starting and playing all 90 minutes against Central Norte (June 12) in a 4-1 win.

2016 (Newell’s): Escobar made five starts across seven appearances.

2015 (Newell’s): Escobar made his professional debut June 7, 2015 against Boca Juniors. He made 15 starts in his first season, all at right back, and contributed to seven clean sheets.