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Andrew Carleton makes impact in 1st start, Barco out for "act of indiscipline"

Georgia's homegrown talent helped lead Atlanta United to an important victory in his first start.
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

ATLANTA -- Andrew Carleton will be forever linked with Wayne Rooney.

Carleton, the homegrown player from Powder Springs, Ga., made his first MLS start on Saturday against D.C. United. It came on the same evening that former England superstar Wayne Rooney made his first MLS start.

Carleton created goal chances and had multiple shots on goal in Atlanta United's 3-1 victory over D.C. United to remain in position to win the Supporters' Shield. He also helped Josef Martinez score his sixth career hat-trick, a new MLS record.

So, all-in-all, a pretty good start.

"It's defiantly a step up from USL or youth national league team stuff. Everybody's flying the whole game. You got to be pretty fit," Carleton told the herd of reporters around his locker after the game.

The 18-year-old came out in the 65th minute. He admitted he was tired. But after sending a cross to Josef Martinez in the 54th minute for the striker's second of three goals on Saturday, Carleton has all the confidence he needs to keep playing more minutes.

His chances for another start are pretty good, it would seem.

Carleton started in place of Ezequiel Barco, who was not part of Atlanta United's 18 on Saturday. Manager Tata Martino said after the game that Barco was not available because he "committed an act of indiscipline."

"I'm not going to say anything more about his act of indiscipline, but he will be out against Montreal," Martino said.

D.C. struck first on the counter attack. Rooney passed to Paul Arriola down the middle of the field. He passed right to Zoltan Stieber who sent the ball past a diving Brad Guzan in the 7th minute.

It was the first time in a while that Guzan, a former Middlesbrough goal keeper, had seen Rooney. They met a few times while playing against each other in the English Premier League.

"He's obviously a good player. We knew that going in," Guzan said. "There's no surprises there. He's going to make his team better on so many different levels."

Except that was his only real contribution, unlike Carleton. The young midfielder helped develop a chance early that could have led to his first assist. He sent a cross from the baseline to Martinez who tried to direct a header towards the right post, but missed wide. Carleton also helped get the ball to Miguel Almiron in the 30th minute. Almiron passed to Tito Villalba, who sent a cross into the box. Martinez beat goal keeper David Ousted on the header to tie the game at 1.

Carleton looked hesitant at times, not sending passes quite fast enough. He had a shot on goal in the 26th minute, but kicked it right into the arms of Ousted. In the second half, Martinez sent a backheel pass in his direction, but again kicked it straight at Ousted. But moments later, he sent the cross to Martinez for Atlanta's second goal.

"I just did some move, and then it was on my left foot. I was a little bit nervous because it was on my left foot, and then I just whipped it in and it ended up getting to Josef, and Josef finished it like he always does," Carleton said.

On how to finish on his goal chances:

"I did have a couple of chances, especially the one in the second half. My eyes lit up and I was like, 'No way.' And I was so caught if I should go front post or back post that I hit it right down the middle. So that's the next step, and hopefully I'll be able to get that goal next time."

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