{{short description|Argentine footballer (born 1995)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Franco Escobar | image = Dynamo vs Real Salt Lake (Mar 2025) 17 (cropped).jpg | caption = Escobar with the Houston Dynamo in 2025 | full_name = Franco Nicolás Escobar | height = {{height|m=1.70}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Franco Escobar |url=https://www.lafc.com/players/franco-escobar/ |access-date=20 August 2022 |publisher=Los Angeles FC}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1995|2|21}} | birth_place = Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina | currentclub = Peñarol | clubnumber = 2 | position = Right-back | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Newell's Old Boys | years1 = 2015–2017 | clubs1 = Newell's Old Boys | caps1 = 34 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2018–2021 | clubs2 = Atlanta United | caps2 = 63 | goals2 = 2 | years3 = 2019 | clubs3 = → Atlanta United 2 (loan) | caps3 = 1 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2021 | clubs4 = → Newell's Old Boys (loan) | caps4 = 7 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2022 | clubs5 = Los Angeles FC | caps5 = 19 | goals5 = 1 | years6 = 2023–2025 | clubs6 = Houston Dynamo | caps6 = 75 | goals6 = 6 | years7 = 2026– | clubs7 = Peñarol | caps7 = 0 | goals7 = 0 | nationalyears1 = | nationalteam1 = | nationalcaps1 = | nationalgoals1 = | club-update = 25 October 2025 }}
'''Franco Nicolás Escobar''' (born 21 February 1995) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Liga AUF Uruguaya club Peñarol.
==Club career== === Newell's Old Boys === Escobar began his career in the Newell's Old Boys academy. He made his first team debut on 7 June 2015, getting the start against Boca Juniors in a 4–0 loss.<ref name=":7" /> He made 15 appearances during his debut season as Newell's finished 16th in the table.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Franco Escobar Stats, Goals, Records, Assists, Cups and more |url=https://fbref.com/en/players/54f33d0e/Franco-Escobar |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=FBref.com |language=en}}</ref> Escobar made 6 appearances during the 2016 season and 12 in the 2016–17 season, playing as both a rightback and a centerback. He made 2 appearance during the 2017–18 season prior to being sold.<ref name=":8" />
=== Atlanta United === On 8 December 2017 Escobar signed with MLS side Atlanta United.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.atlutd.com/post/2017/12/08/atlanta-united-acquires-franco-escobar-newell-s-old-boys|title=Atlanta United acquires Franco Escobar from Newell's Old Boys|date=8 December 2017}}</ref> On 3 March 2018 he made his debut for Atlanta, playing 90 minutes in a 4–0 loss to the Houston Dynamo in the opening match of the season.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Franco Escobar 2018 Match Logs |url=https://fbref.com/en/players/54f33d0e/matchlogs/2018/summary/Franco-Escobar-Match-Logs |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=FBref.com |language=en}}</ref> He suffered a concussion on 17 March in a 4–1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps that would keep him out for the next 4 games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Usry |first=Rob |date=2018-03-21 |title=Franco Escobar suffers concussion, return date unknown |url=https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2018/3/21/17147828/franco-escobar-suffers-concussion-return-date-unknown |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=Dirty South Soccer |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> On 5 May, late in a 2–1 against the Chicago Fire, Escobar collided with Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan and injured his chest.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kruskic |first=Haris |date=2018-05-18 |title=Injury Report: Atlanta United vs. New York Red Bulls |url=https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2018/5/18/17368418/injury-report-atlanta-united-vs-new-york-red-bulls |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=Dirty South Soccer |language=en}}</ref> Escobar would miss the next 3 matches. He scored his first goal for Atlanta on 21 October, helping Atlanta to a 2–1 win over Chicago.<ref name=":0" /> Escobar finished the regular season with 22 appearances and 1 goal as Atlanta finished 2nd in the Eastern Conference.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=2018 Major League Soccer Stats |url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2018/2018-Major-League-Soccer-Stats |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=FBref.com |language=en}}</ref> During Atlanta's playoff run, Escobar played every minute of the 5 games, scored 2 goals, and had an assist, including one in the final where Atlanta beat the Portland Timbers 2–0.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Roberson |first=Doug |date=December 8, 2018 |title=MLS Cup champs: Atlanta United defeats Portland |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/mls-cup-champs-atlanta-united-defeats-portland/fytJJc7y2Ws48AVdsA8P4J/ |work=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |accessdate=December 10, 2018}}</ref> He was named to the MLS Cup Playoffs Best XI.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boehm |first=Charles |date=11 December 2018 |title=Team of the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs: Who made the postseason Best XI? |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/team-audi-2018-mls-cup-playoffs-who-made-postseason-best-xi |access-date=15 February 2023 |website=Major League Soccer}}</ref> thumb|Franco Escobar playing for Atlanta United on June 2, 2018|left On 16 January 2019, on the first day of preseason, Escobar suffered a fractured right clavicle.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 January 2019 |title=Franco Escobar to miss 6–8 weeks with fractured clavicle |url=https://www.atlutd.com/news/franco-escobar-miss-6-8-weeks-fractured-clavicle |access-date=15 February 2023 |website=Atlanta United}}</ref> The injury forced him to miss all of Atlanta's CONCACAF Champions League matches as well as the first 3 games of the MLS season. After making an appearance for Atlanta United 2 to regain fitness, he made his first MLS match of the season in a 2–0 loss to the Columbus Crew on 30 March.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Franco Escobar 2019 Match Logs |url=https://fbref.com/en/players/54f33d0e/matchlogs/2019/summary/Franco-Escobar-Match-Logs |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=FBref.com |language=en}}</ref> Escobar ended the regular season with 1 goal and 3 assists in 25 appearances, helping Atlanta finish 2nd in the East.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Franco Escobar |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/franco-escobar/stats/ |access-date=15 February 2023 |website=Major League Soccer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2019 Major League Soccer Stats |url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2019/2019-Major-League-Soccer-Stats |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=FBref.com |language=en}}</ref> In the opening round of the playoffs, Escobar scored the lone goal to give Atlanta a 1–0 win over the New England Revolution.<ref name=":2" /> He played every minute of Atlanta's 3 playoff games, with the run ending in the Conference Finals following a 2–0 loss to Toronto FC.<ref name=":2" /> In the 2019 Campeones Cup, Atlanta beat Club América 3–2, but Escobar was forced out of the game due to injury.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Usry |first=Rob |date=2019-08-15 |title=Some thoughts on Atlanta United lifting a second trophy in nine months |url=https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2019/8/15/20806508/some-thoughts-on-atlanta-united-lifting-a-second-trophy-in-nine-months |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=Dirty South Soccer |language=en}}</ref>
In a shortened 2020 season due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Escobar played in 16 of the 23 matches and had 2 assists.<ref name=":3" /> Atlanta finished the season 12th in the conference, missing the playoffs for the first time in team history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 Major League Soccer Stats |url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2020/2020-Major-League-Soccer-Stats |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=FBref.com |language=en}}</ref> In CCL play, Escobar made 3 appearances as Atlanta fell to Club América in the quarterfinals 3–1 on aggregate.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Argentina – F. Escobar – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/franco-nicolas-escobar/365451/matches/ |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=int.soccerway.com}}</ref>
==== Loan to Newell's Old Boys ==== On 9 February 2021, Escobar returned to Newell's Old Boys on a loan deal until 1 January 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 February 2021 |title=Franco Escobar loaned to Newell's Old Boys in Argentina |url=https://www.atlutd.com/news/franco-escobar-loaned-newell-s-old-boys-argentina |access-date=15 February 2023 |website=Atlanta United}}</ref> On 16 February, Escobar broke his foot (fifth metatarsal) in training.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 February 2021 |title=Atlanta United loanee Franco Escobar breaks bone in foot after Newell's return |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/atlanta-united-loanee-franco-escobar-breaks-bone-foot-after-newells-return |access-date=15 February 2023 |website=Major League Soccer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=newells_admin |date=2021-02-16 |title=Franco Escobar injured: suffers broken metatarsal in training |url=https://newellscarajo.com/franco-escobar-injured-suffers-broken-metatarsal-in-training/ |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=newellscarajo.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He made his first appearance of the loan on 17 July, playing 58 minutes in a 3–2 win over Talleres de Córdoba.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Franco Escobar 2021 Match Logs |url=https://fbref.com/en/players/54f33d0e/matchlogs/2021/summary/Franco-Escobar-Match-Logs |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=FBref.com |language=en}}</ref> In Newell's next match, Escobar had to be subbed off due to pain in his foot.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boys |first=Club Atlético Newell's Old |title=Club Atlético Newell's Old Boys |url=https://www.newellsoldboys.com.ar/ |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=Club Atlético Newell's Old Boys |language=es}}</ref> He would miss the next 18 matches.<ref name=":4" /> He recovered from his injury to play in the final 5 games the year, ending the season with 7 appearances.<ref name=":4" />
=== Los Angeles FC === On 12 December 2021, Atlanta traded Escobar to Los Angeles FC in exchange for $600,000 in General Allocation Money.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 December 2021 |title=LAFC Acquires Defender Franco Escobar From Atlanta United |url=https://www.lafc.com/news/lafc-acquires-defender-franco-escobar-from-atlanta-united |access-date=15 February 2023 |website=LAFC}}</ref> He made his LAFC debut on 26 February, playing the full match in a 3–0 win over the Colorado Rapids in the opening game of the season.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Franco Escobar 2022 Match Logs |url=https://fbref.com/en/players/54f33d0e/matchlogs/2022/summary/Franco-Escobar-Match-Logs |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=FBref.com |language=en}}</ref> On 6 March, LAFC drew 1–1 with the Portland Timbers, Escobar was forced off 13 minutes into the game with a calf injury that would keep him out for 6 games.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 April 2022 |title=Player Availability Report {{!}} LAFC at Orlando City 4/2/22 |url=https://www.lafc.com/news/player-availability-report-lafc-at-orlando-city-4-2-22 |access-date=15 February 2023 |website=LAFC}}</ref> He scored his first goal for LAFC on 7 May, his second game back from the injury, to give LAFC a 2–2 draw with the Philadelphia Union.<ref name=":5" /> Escobar missed another 4 MLS games plus an Open Cup game in May due to his calf.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 May 2022 |title=Player Availability Report {{!}} LAFC at Colorado Rapids 5/14/22 |url=https://www.lafc.com/news/player-availability-report-lafc-at-colorado-rapids-5-14-22 |access-date=15 February 2023 |website=LAFC}}</ref> He also missed 3 games due to a concussion at the end of the season.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Alicia |date=2022-12-13 |title=LAFC 2022 Player Postmortem: Franco Escobar |url=https://www.angelsonparade.com/2022/12/13/23507645/lafc-2022-player-postmortem-franco-escobar |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=Angels on Parade |language=en}}</ref> Escobar ended the season with 1 goal and 1 assist in 19 regular season appearances, helping LAFC win the Supporters' Shield.<ref name=":5" /> He made just one appearance in the playoffs, coming on as a late sub in a 3–0 win over Austin FC in the conference final.<ref name=":5" /> LAFC would go onto win MLS Cup 2022 3–0 on penalties against Philadelphia.<ref name=":6" />
Escobar's contract expired following the 2022 season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 November 2022 |title=LAFC Announces Roster Moves For 2023 Season |url=https://www.lafc.com/news/lafc-announces-roster-moves-for-2023-season |access-date=15 February 2023 |website=LAFC}}</ref>
=== Houston Dynamo === [[File:Austin vs Houston Dynamo (2025 US Open Cup) 19.jpg|thumb|right|Escobar during the 2025 U.S. Open Cup.]]
On 12 January 2023, Escobar signed with the Houston Dynamo.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 January 2023 |title=Official: Houston Dynamo sign defender Franco Escobar in free agency |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/source-houston-dynamo-finalizing-signing-of-franco-escobar |access-date=15 February 2023 |website=Major League Soccer}}</ref> Houston declined his contract option following the 2025 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.houstondynamofc.com/news/houston-dynamo-fc-announce-roster-decisions-following-the-2025-season|title=Houston Dynamo FC announce roster decisions following the 2025 season | Houston Dynamo|first=Houston Dynamo|last=FC|website=Houston Dynamo FC}}</ref>
====Penarol==== On 1 January 2026, Franco Escobar signed for Peñarol and a 1 year contract with the club.<ref> {{Cite web |date= 5 January 2026 |title=official five stripes together again in Uruguay |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/five-stripes-in-147505995 |access-date=5 January 2026 |website=patreon}}</ref>
==Career statistics== === Club === {{updated|match played 15 February 2023}}<ref>{{Soccerway|franci-nicolas-escobar/365451|accessdate=January 1, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Franco Escobar Stats, Goals, Records, Assists, Cups and more |url=https://fbref.com/en/players/54f33d0e/Franco-Escobar |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=FBref.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3"/> {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup{{efn|Includes Copa Argentina and U.S. Open Cup}} !colspan="2"|League Cup{{efn|Includes MLS Cup Playoffs and Copa de la Liga Profesional}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="5"|Newell's Old Boys||2015|| rowspan="4" |Primera División |15||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||15||0 |- |2016 |6||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||6||0 |- |2016–17 |12||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||12||0 |- |2017–18 |1||0||1||0|| colspan="2" |—||0||0|| colspan="2" |—||2||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !34!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!35!!0 |- | rowspan="4" |Atlanta United||2018|| rowspan="3" |Major League Soccer |22||1||1||0||5||2|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||28||3 |- |2019 |25||1||5||0||3||1||0||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha name="CC">Appearances in Campeones Cup</ref>||0||34||2 |- |2020 |16<ref group=lower-alpha name="MIB">Includes three appearances in the MLS is Back Tournament group stage</ref>||0|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||3<ref group=lower-alpha name="CCL">Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League</ref>||0|| colspan="2" |—||19||0 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !63!!2!!6!!0!!8!!3!!3!!0!!1!!0!!81!!5 |- |Atlanta United 2 (loan)||2019||USL Championship |1||0|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||1||0 |- |Newell's Old Boys (loan)||2021||Primera División |7||0|| colspan="2" |—||0||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |—||7||0 |- |LAFC||2022||Major League Soccer |19||1||2||0||1||0|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||22||1 |- |Houston Dynamo||2023||Major League Soccer |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |—||0||0 |- ! colspan="3" |Career total !124!!3!!9!!0!!9!!3!!3!!0!!1!!0!!146!!6 |} {{Notelist}}
==Honours== '''Atlanta United''' *MLS Cup: 2018 *U.S. Open Cup: 2019 *Campeones Cup: 2019
'''Los Angeles FC''' *Supporters' Shield: 2022 *MLS Cup: 2022
'''Houston Dynamo''' *U.S. Open Cup: 2023
== Personal life == Escobar obtained a green card in 2020, classifying him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 January 2020 |title=Ezequiel Barco, Franco Escobar, Eric Remedi become U.S. permanent residents, no longer occupy international roster spots |url=https://www.atlutd.com/news/ezequiel-barco-franco-escobar-eric-remedi-become-us-permanent-residents-no-longe |access-date=15 February 2023 |website=Atlanta United}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Soccerway|franci-nicolas-escobar/365451}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Escobar, Franco}} Category:1995 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Rosario, Santa Fe Category:Argentine men's footballers Category:Argentine expatriate men's footballers Category:Argentine Primera División players Category:Major League Soccer players Category:Newell's Old Boys footballers Category:Atlanta United FC players Category:Los Angeles FC players Category:Houston Dynamo FC players Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States Category:Men's association football defenders Category:USL Championship players Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in the United States Category:Atlanta United 2 players Category:21st-century Argentine sportsmen