ATL UTD 2 Midfielder Earns Monthly League Honors
ATLANTA — The Atlanta United pipeline continues to shine bright. On Thursday, MLS NEXT Pro named 17-year-old midfielder Gabriel Wesseh as Rising Star of the Month for August, a recognition of his breakout performances in just his first season at the professional level.
For Wesseh, a Liberian-born midfielder who only joined the Atlanta United Academy last year, the award marks another milestone in a rapid rise through the ranks.
“We are thrilled for Gabriel to be honored as MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star of the Month,” said Javier Pérez, Atlanta United’s Director of Methodology. “Gabriel only joined the Academy last year, but he has taken tremendous steps in his development throughout his time with Atlanta United. We can’t wait to continue watching him grow through our player development pathway, and our second team is an excellent vessel for him to do that.”
Why Wesseh Won the Award
Wesseh’s August was nothing short of electric. The midfielder:
- Started all six matches for ATL UTD 2 in August.
- Logged 443 minutes.
- Produced three assists and a team-high 18 key passes.
- Moved into a tie for most assists on the team (four).
His creativity and passing vision were vital to ATL UTD 2’s recent run of form, where the club earned four wins in five games to pull themselves into playoff contention.
Earlier in the season, Wesseh also picked up Rising Star of Matchweek 7 after a standout performance against Carolina Core FC, where he scored and assisted in his first professional start.
On the year, Wesseh has already racked up:
- 18 matches played (14 starts).
- 3 goals.
- 4 assists.
Not bad for a player who was playing U-16 Academy soccer just a year ago.
From Liberia to Atlanta: A Rising Star Story
Wesseh’s journey is one Atlanta United fans love to see. After joining the Atlanta United Academy in 2024, he quickly stood out for his vision, technical skill, and ability to dictate play in the midfield.
Within a year, he had already broken into ATL UTD 2, earning a professional debut, and now, a league-wide honor.
For Atlanta’s development system, this is proof of concept. The club’s player pathway — from Academy, to Atlanta United 2, to the First Team — is alive and thriving.
What Coaches See in Wesseh
Atlanta United staff have consistently praised Wesseh not just for his skill, but also his maturity.
- Work ethic: Coaches say he adapts quickly and is constantly improving.
- Creativity: His 18 key passes in August led ATL UTD 2 and put him among the top young creators in the league.
- Resilience: Wesseh has handled the physical jump from Academy play to professional soccer with composure beyond his age.
He’s also versatile, able to play as a box-to-box midfielder or in more advanced creative roles.
What This Means for Atlanta United
For Atlanta United fans, Wesseh’s breakout is another reason to be excited about the future. Over the past two years, the club has steadily integrated Homegrown players like Luke Brennan, Adyn Torres, and Dominik Chong Qui into the First Team setup.
Wesseh looks poised to follow a similar path. At just 17, he’s already showing the kind of performances that get noticed at the league level. If his trajectory continues, it may not be long before fans see him at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in an MLS match.
What’s Next
Atlanta United 2 (7-8-8, 31 points) are on break during the FIFA international window, but Wesseh and his teammates will be back in action on:
- Saturday, Sept. 13
- At Carolina Core FC
- 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff
- Watch on MLS Season Pass (Apple TV) or MLSNEXTPro.com
If Wesseh continues his current form, don’t be surprised to see him rack up more assists — and maybe even a few more league honors.
Final Word
Gabriel Wesseh’s story is a reminder of what makes Atlanta United special. A player who joined the Academy less than two years ago is already making waves in professional soccer. His Rising Star award isn’t just recognition of one good month — it’s a sign that the next Homegrown star could already be here.
What do you think of Wesseh’s performances so far? Could he be the next Academy player to break into Atlanta United’s First Team? Share your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter/X with #ATLUTD.
