Atlanta United’s young, exciting South American attacking core continues to get plaudits for their play in their inaugural season. Forward Héctor “Tito” Villalba was announced as number 8 in Major League Soccer’s 24 under 24 rankings on Thursday. The annual list compiled by league writers ranks the performance and future prospects of the best players in MLS under the age of 24. As a newcomer to the league this year, this is the 23-year-old Argentine’s first time being selected in the list, and the second Atlanta United player named in the 2017 countdown after Yamil Asad was ranked at #11 just a day prior.
Villalba has been rising the ranks of professional soccer since he was ten years old, when he joined the youth team of his childhood club San Lorenzo in the Argentine Primera División. He spent more than a decade at the Buenos Aires club, making more than 100 first-team appearances by the time he turned 21 years of age. He then signed as Atlanta United’s first ever Designated Player back in July of 2016 and has become a key part of head coach Tata Martino’s breathtaking fast-paced attack. He’s equal parts scorer and creator, with 12 goals and nine assists on the season, earning one MLS Team of the Week nod. And his penchant for the spectacular has won him three MLS Goal of the Week awards.
His lightning pace on the wing and powerful finish has turned Villalba into a dangerous threat on his own. And his versatility has been a huge part of Atlanta’s success this season – his move to center forward during Josef Martinez’s injury absence proved vital during a tough spell of road games for the club in the middle of the season. But some Five Stripes fans call him the Lion tamer for a reason. His most memorable moments came midseason with his late game-changing goals that secured a win and a draw in back-to-back weeks against Atlanta’s neighbors to the South.
Villalba has proven in one season to be one of the most dynamic, edge-of-your-seat players in the league. It’s no wonder MLS writers ranked him in their list as one of the most exciting young talents to hit the field this year.
