“I think I have plenty of quality, but I have to be given the chance. If I’m given the chance to play I can show it.”



Héctor ‘Tito’ Villalba wants to play. The 24-year-old Argentine-born attacker hasn’t gotten much chance to do so under Frank de Boer. His absence has puzzled media and supporters of the defending MLS Cup champions. Villalba was Atlanta United’s first-ever designated player and started every game in 2017, logging an impressive 2,762 minutes. In 2018, he started 21 of his 28 appearances while battling several muscle injuries. During De Boer’s first six games in charge, the now-healthy Villalba has started just once and played a total of 59 minutes.



It’s a noticeable drop in playing time for an international-caliber attacker. Despite fighting for playing time in Atlanta, Villalba, whose father is Paraguayan, was recently called up to Paraguay’s national team for the second time by new...