Atlanta United 2 continues to see its young talent make an impact beyond MLS NEXT Pro.
Goalkeeper James Donaldson and midfielder Ignacio Suarez-Couri have both been called up to the United States Under-17 Men’s National Team for the Sept. 21-Oct. 6 FIFA international window.
The Atlanta United 2 players will join the U.S. U-17s in Marbella, Spain, where the team is scheduled to face the Republic of Ireland on Sept. 30, Norway on Oct. 3 and the Netherlands on Oct. 6.
For Atlanta’s development system, the call-ups provide another opportunity for two young players to gain international experience while representing the club on a larger stage.
Donaldson Continues His Rise
Donaldson already has significant experience with the U.S. youth national-team program.
The goalkeeper has represented the United States at the Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 levels, including two appearances at the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship in February.
One of those appearances produced a major milestone.
Donaldson recorded his first competitive international clean sheet in an 8-0 victory over St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Feb. 5.
His development has continued with Atlanta United 2.
This season, Donaldson has made seven starts, recording 17 saves and two clean sheets.
He also made club history earlier in the year.
On April 10, Donaldson made his professional debut in Atlanta United 2’s 2-0 victory over Inter Miami CF II. He finished the match with a clean sheet, becoming the youngest player in ATL UTD 2 history to record a clean sheet.
Now, another international opportunity awaits.
Suarez-Couri Adds Another International Chapter
Suarez-Couri’s international background is slightly different.
The midfielder has previously been selected for the U.S. Under-16 and Venezuela Under-17 national teams before officially debuting for the United States Under-17 team on June 7 against Brazil.
His latest call-up comes after a productive season with Atlanta United 2.
Suarez-Couri has appeared in 24 matches, starting 16, while recording five goals and two assists.
Those numbers have already put his name into the Atlanta United 2 record book.
He became the youngest ATL UTD 2 player to reach five goal contributions in a single season during the MLS NEXT Pro era.
His development has also begun to reach the MLS level.
From MLS NEXT Pro to MLS
Suarez-Couri received his first MLS opportunity on July 22 when Atlanta United faced Charlotte FC.
After signing a Short-Term Agreement, he entered the match as an 89th-minute substitute, marking another step forward in his progression through Atlanta’s development pathway.
That progression now includes another international experience with the United States.
For a young midfielder who has already represented multiple national-team programs, the upcoming trip to Spain gives Suarez-Couri another opportunity to compete against international opposition.
Another Sign of Atlanta’s Development Pathway
The call-ups for Donaldson and Suarez-Couri highlight the role Atlanta United 2 continues to play in developing young players.
Both players have taken different routes to this point, but their current paths intersect at ATL UTD 2, where they have earned meaningful minutes and opportunities to continue developing.
Donaldson has combined professional experience with a growing international résumé in goal.
Suarez-Couri has emerged as an attacking contributor while also making his MLS debut.
Now both will take their next steps with the U.S. U-17s in Spain.
The three-match schedule against Ireland, Norway and the Netherlands should provide another competitive environment for the Atlanta youngsters as they continue their development.
Community Spotlight: Creating Better Paths Forward
Donaldson and Suarez-Couri are taking different paths through Atlanta United’s development system, but both are reaching new stages of their careers. From MLS NEXT Pro minutes to MLS opportunities and now international competition, their progress shows how important it is for young players to have clear opportunities to take the next step.
Atlanta Soccer News is proud to recognize Miller EG Design, a Metro Atlanta community partner specializing in wayfinding, signage, experiential graphics and environmental design. Their work helps organizations create clearer paths, improve how people experience their spaces and build stronger connections between people and their surroundings.
In soccer, development is about understanding where the next opportunity leads and having the environment to take that step. Donaldson and Suarez-Couri now have another stop on their respective journeys in Marbella, Spain. Learn more about Miller EG Design and the design solutions they provide to organizations across Metro Atlanta.
What This Means for Atlanta United 2
Youth international call-ups are significant not only for the players involved but also for the development system behind them.
Donaldson and Suarez-Couri have already established themselves as contributors for Atlanta United 2. Their latest national-team opportunities add another layer to their development while giving them experience against international competition.
For Donaldson, the trip continues a youth international career that has already included three U.S. age groups and a CONCACAF Under-17 Championship appearance.
For Suarez-Couri, it adds another chapter to an international journey that has included both the United States and Venezuela before his official U.S. U-17 debut.
Both now have another opportunity to show what Atlanta United 2’s young talent can do on the international stage.
Next Steps
Donaldson and Suarez-Couri will join the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team in Marbella, Spain, for the FIFA window.
The Americans are scheduled to face the Republic of Ireland on Sept. 30, Norway on Oct. 3 and the Netherlands on Oct. 6.
Atlanta fans, keep an eye on these two. Which ATL UTD 2 youngster are you most excited to watch as his development continues? Share your thoughts with AtlantaSoccer.News.
Submit Your Soccer News and keep Atlanta soccer‘s next generation in the conversation.
ASN TAKE
The latest U.S. U-17 call-ups provide another snapshot of the young talent developing through Atlanta United 2. Donaldson has already made his mark as a professional goalkeeper and youth international, while Suarez-Couri has combined MLS NEXT Pro production with his first MLS appearance. Their trip to Spain gives both players another competitive opportunity as they continue moving through Atlanta’s development pathway.
RELATED ARTICLES:
Atlanta United 2 Clinches First-Ever MLS NEXT Pro Playoff Berth With 4-2 Win
Atlanta United 2 Stars Arif Kovac and Cameron Dunbar Make MLS NEXT Pro History
Youth Soccer Pyramid in the U.S.: What Atlanta Parents Need to Know
Author: Quique Lopez
Quique Lopez doesn’t just cover soccer—he deconstructs it with the precision of a veteran and the wit of a storyteller. A former player who sees the pitch as both a tactical chessboard and a cultural stage, Quique balances sharp critiques with a genuine love for the game’s soul. He’s as quick to call out the ego of a superstar as he is to find the hidden beauty in a local derby.
