ATLANTA, GEORGIA—To boost its campaign in the 2022 United Soccer League (USL) Championship season, the Atlanta United FC has decided to loan two of its players to Atlanta United 2 FC for the rest of the 2022 season.
United FC loaned Justin Garces and Efrain Morales to United 2.
Earlier, United 2 FC signed defenders Nelson Orji, Raimar Rodrigues Lopes, and midfielder Nick Firmino have signed with the club, pending league and federation approval.
Firmino is a Brazilian-American midfielder who came up through the New England Revolution academy. The Mantena, Brazil-born 21-year-old signed a professional deal in November 2018. Two years later, Firmino made his professional debut for New England Revolution II on July 25, 2020, in USL League One. This past season, Firmino played with Union Omaha of USL League One. Overall, the midfielder has made 41 career appearances and tallied six goals and two assists.
Lopes is a left-back who most recently played in Brazil with Athletico Paranaense. The Manaus, Brazil native was a part of the U-20 side with Paranaense. He was sent out on loan in 2021 to Clube do Remo in the Brasilero Serie B. He made 13 appearances in 2021 while adding three appearances in the Copa Verde in 2022 for Remo.
Orji is a 19-year-old Nigerian defender who joins Atlanta United 2 after being a part of the FC Porto academy where he played with the U-19s. Most recently the center back was in Hungary with Zalaegerzegi TE FC.
United 2 FC is hoping to have a great USL Championship campaign next year since it is their last appearance in the league.
According to reports, United 2 FC will transfer to the Major League Soccer NEXT Pro in 2023.
The new league’s goal is to create an “integrated player pathway from MLS NEXT through to MLS first teams” by serving as a bridge from the Academies into the professional system.
The league is scheduled to debut in March 2022.
