Atlanta United 2 is making a move in its forward group with Liam Butts heading to Loudoun United FC on loan for the remainder of the 2026 USL Championship season.
The loan gives Butts an opportunity to compete in the USL Championship while Atlanta United 2 continues its push through the final stretch of the MLS NEXT Pro season.
Butts joined Atlanta United 2 on Dec. 17, 2025, and has recorded four goals and one assist in 17 appearances for the club.
The 25-year-old forward also has a longstanding connection to Atlanta soccer.
Liam Butts Returns to a Familiar Soccer Community
Before beginning his collegiate career, Butts spent three years with the Atlanta United Academy from 2016-19.
He went on to play college soccer at Penn State University, where he produced 25 goals and eight assists in 72 appearances across five seasons.
His professional development continued in MLS NEXT Pro.
Butts made his MLS NEXT Pro debut with New England Revolution II in 2024 and has since totaled 22 goals and four assists in 53 appearances in the league.
That experience gives Butts an established track record at the developmental level, while his move to Loudoun provides an opportunity to test himself in the USL Championship environment.
What the Loan Means for Atlanta United 2
The move also changes the look of Atlanta United 2’s forward group.
As of Sept. 10, the club lists five forwards on its roster: Caio Assis, Liam Butts, Enzo Dovlo, Arif Kovac and Patrick Weah.
With Butts now on loan, Atlanta United 2 will move forward with four available forwards while the loan remains in effect.
That could create additional opportunities for Dovlo, Kovac and Weah as Atlanta continues its 2026 campaign.
The timing is particularly relevant as Atlanta United 2 enters the final portion of its season and looks to maximize its roster options.
Butts’ departure is not necessarily a reflection of his performance in Atlanta. Instead, the loan gives the forward another competitive environment and allows him to continue his development while playing at a higher level of the professional pyramid.
Community Spotlight: Creating Spaces for the Next Chapter
Liam Butts’ move to Loudoun United represents another chapter in a professional journey that has already taken him from the Atlanta United Academy to college soccer and MLS NEXT Pro. For families across Metro Atlanta, new chapters often bring changes at home, too—from refreshing a room to taking on a larger remodeling project as the needs of a household evolve.
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Atlanta United 2 Transaction
Transaction: Atlanta United 2 loans Liam Butts to Loudoun United FC through the remainder of the 2026 USL Championship season.
Atlanta United 2 Roster as of Sept. 10, 2026
Goalkeepers:
- James Donaldson
- Jonathan Ransom
Defenders:
- Daniel Chica
- Mohamed Cisset
- Toto Majub
- Matthew Senanou
Midfielders:
- Cameron Dunbar
- Andrew Jardines
- DD Sibrian
- Ignacio Suarez-Couri
Forwards:
- Caio Assis
- Liam Butts*
- Enzo Dovlo
- Arif Kovac
- Patrick Weah
*On loan with Loudoun United FC through the remainder of the 2026 USL Championship season.
For Atlanta United 2, the immediate focus remains on the players available for the MLS NEXT Pro playoff push. For Butts, the next chapter comes with Loudoun United FC and a chance to add USL Championship experience to an already extensive MLS NEXT Pro résumé.
ASN TAKE
The Liam Butts loan is an interesting move at an important point in Atlanta United 2’s season.
Butts has already demonstrated that he can produce at the MLS NEXT Pro level, and a move to Loudoun United gives him an opportunity to challenge himself in a different professional environment.
From Atlanta’s perspective, the biggest question is how the move affects the forward rotation.
With Butts temporarily out of the group, Caio Assis, Enzo Dovlo, Arif Kovac and Patrick Weah could see increased responsibility as Atlanta United 2 navigates the remainder of its campaign.
The move also makes sense from a development standpoint. Butts has an Atlanta connection dating back to his Academy days, and this loan gives him another opportunity to build his professional résumé while remaining under the Atlanta United 2 umbrella.
What do you think this loan means for Atlanta United 2’s forward rotation?
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.