As Atlanta United battles through a demanding 2025 season, the club’s developmental system is proving to be more critical than ever. With injuries and international call-ups affecting first-team availability, players from Atlanta United 2 and the Atlanta United Academy are stepping into the spotlight—showcasing the strength, depth, and structure of the club’s youth development model.
Academy and ATL UTD 2: Fueling the First Team
The health of the pipeline has never been more evident. Current first-team players like Matt Edwards, Will Reilly, Jay Fortune, and Noah Cobb all came through the Academy system. And with the first team frequently rotating due to injuries, more youth players are seizing their opportunities.
According to Javier Perez, Atlanta United’s Director of Methodology, fostering a competitive environment at every level is key. “Absolutely, they feel it, they see it,” Perez said. “It sends a message to everybody else, that the next one could be me.”
ATL UTD 2: A Platform for Growth
Under head coach Steve Cooke, Atlanta United 2 continues to provide crucial minutes to young prospects. At the midway point of the MLS NEXT Pro season, ATL UTD 2 sits just seven points outside of playoff contention.
Importantly, seven Academy players have debuted for ATL UTD 2 already this season, matching last year’s total:
| Player | Debut Date | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| Braden Dunham | March 7, 2025 | NYRB II |
| Gabriel Wesseh | April 7, 2025 | Inter Miami II |
| Reuben Clarson | May 30, 2025 | NYRB II |
| Isaiah Vicentti | May 30, 2025 | NYRB II |
| Seamus Streelman | June 6, 2025 | NYCFC II |
| Ayo Akintobi | June 11, 2025 | Huntsville |
| DD Sibrian | June 11, 2025 | Huntsville |
Perez emphasized ATL UTD 2’s importance: “We need to put these players in a situation sooner rather than later that they can get professional experience without having too much pressure.”
Several ATL UTD 2 players — such as Cooper Sanchez, Nyk Sessock, Rodrigo Neri, and Dominik Chong Qui — have also signed Short-Term Agreements and appeared in MLS matches, underscoring the club’s willingness to elevate promising talents quickly.
Academy Standouts and Team Success
The 2024–25 MLS NEXT season was another strong campaign for the Academy. Of Atlanta United’s five Academy squads, the four youngest (U13 through U16) all won their league titles.
- U15s, led by Steve Covino, finished with 34 of 39 possible points.
- U16s, under Williams Bates, clinched the division with a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Union.
- U13s and U14s, coached by Colby Childress and Bruno Ramos, respectively, topped their divisions in both league standings and the experimental Quality of Play Index, a new analytics-based performance measure developed by sports data firm Taka.
Both the U15 and U16 teams also reached the MLS NEXT Cup Final, further solidifying their status among the elite in youth development.
Players to Watch
Perez highlighted a handful of prospects who continue to impress and push the standard across all levels:
- Dominik Chong Qui (recent Homegrown signee)
- Braden Dunham
- Kaiden Moore
- Santiago Pita
- Jonathan Ransom
- Cooper Sanchez
He praised their development and drive, likening Pita’s play style to Vitinha of PSG: “When I see, for instance, Santi Pita, I see Vitinha that just won the Champions League with PSG.”
Building for the Future
With a résumé that includes time at Real Madrid’s Academy and the U.S. Men’s National Team, Perez believes three traits are essential in evaluating a young player: character, skill, and support.
“Number one, character,” Perez said. “This is the core aspect that I look into a player—mental strength, determination, someone who wants to make it.”
He also emphasized the critical but often overlooked role of external support, such as family and mentors, in helping young players succeed long-term.
Next Steps: Methodology and Mentality
As Atlanta United continues to evolve, Perez is focusing on enhancing training standards and methodology across the system. With full backing from leadership, including Garth Lagerwey and Chris Henderson, the club is entering a new phase of development aimed at lifting the Academy’s performance to an even higher tier.
“You can see that with these improvements already, it is paying off a lot,” Perez said. “Now we enter into a second phase, which is improving the training methodology… that’s going to put the Academy on a different scale.”
Atlanta United’s future is being shaped right now—from the pitches of Marietta to the lights of MLS. Whether it’s the Academy, ATL UTD 2, or the first team, a clear pathway exists for talent to rise. And with the right tools, leadership, and mentality, the next star for the 5-Stripes might be just one match away.
