ATLANTA, GA MARCH 17: Atlanta's Andrew Carleton (30) moves the ball up the field during the match between Vancouver and Atlanta United on March 17, 2018 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta United FC defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps by a score of 4 - 1. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Andrew Carleton carries a ton of hopes both with the USMNT and Atlanta United. Here’s a look at Tata Martino’s plan to deliver.

Atlanta United and USMNT fans were clamoring for Andrew Carleton all offseason. The biggest question was how long would fans have to wait until Tata Martino gave the kid his season debut. Once he stepped on the pitch, fans began second-guessing Tata Martino’s debut decisions. Carleton’s second appearance only served to raise expectations and ease those doubts about the debut.

Tata Martino and Atlanta United knew that Andrew Carleton needed first team minutes this season to properly develop his burgeoning talents. A lot was promised to Carleton to make him the most important homegrown player signed by an expansion side. This promising talent need to be brought along in the correct manner and Martino is exactly the manager for the job.

Carleton was always going to get his debut appearance in a substitute role late in a home game. It was only proper way to handle his introduction to the fans and the league. A comfortable build up week with instruction and preparation for the moment would be most sensible. Especially after the debacle in Houston.

Going into any debut in a newer, bigger, better league with more pressure and fans than most any club in the world, a coach should harness the anxiousness and adrenaline of a teenager going out to face grown men. Carleton is going to need to be at ease in playing situations very soon for Atlanta United. The pregame routine needs to be refined for optimal performances later.

Against, DC United Tata had a plan to call the kid up for instruction. He let all those nerves and adrenaline build in anticipation of coming on. Then, DC scores and Martino pulled the kid back. How would the team on the field respond? Meanwhile, let Carleton deal with those emotions of plans changing. Carleton is learning a lesson before even stepping on the field.

After the 90-minute mark, Martino sent him on for the welcoming applause. The team had responded well to the Mattocks goal. The win is all but assured. It was time to let Carleton get that first, proud step over the touchline that has all the emotions rushing. It was barely over 60 seconds, but it let the kid go through the process.

Another 3-0 lead and a man up at home against Vancouver Whitecaps, Tata gave the kid a solid 15 minutes. It was an inspiring showing. The game played as a training session with 4 real interactions for Carleton. He got some time to learn the pace and flow of the MLS game. It was enough time for a simple touch; time for a move-the-ball pass that any decent level beer league baller knows, and a few moments that require actual decision making. In those he was spectacular.

Martino is stressing to Carleton to keep shape and start learning and noticing team shape and opponents starting positions. From those positions, Carleton has the skills to exploit the situation.

Now the only question is when will Tata trust the kid with a game still in the balance? Carleton will be hard pressed to earn minutes from Atlanta’s stacked roster. Tata will need to rely more on roster rotation to survive the regular season.

Atlanta United seems the type of club to take the US Open Cup seriously. This seasons schedule is staggered due to new stadiums coming into service. Sporting KC comes to Atlanta May 9 after an away game in Chicago on May 5. It is the perfect game for Tata to give Carleton his first start.

The first appearance was all prep and no other expectations from Martino. Against Vancouver, Martino finally placed the whiskey in the barrel to start aging. Fans hope it will be peach flavored.