Alan Carleton, Matt Edwards, Ashton Gordon, and Jacob Williams have all signed short-term agreements with Atlanta United. This comes ahead of the team’s U.S. Open Cup match against Charleston Battery on Tuesday (7:00 p.m. ET, USSoccer.com, 92.9 The Game, La Mejor).
A club may sign a player, 25 years of age or younger, from its affiliate (MLS NEXT Pro) during the league season, up to four Short-Term Agreements (up to four-day contracts) every season (maximum of 16 days), per the 2024 MLS Roster Rules and Regulations.
A single player may be included on as many as four rosters for MLS league season matches in a given season, but they may only participate in two of those games. A player is permitted to participate in as many non-league games as possible while his four Short-Term Agreements are in effect.
For each MLS league season match, a club may use up to four players on Short-Term Agreements, provided that they are either homegrown players or are paid less than or equal to the MLS Senior Minimum Salary ($89,716) with their affiliate.
After the roster freeze (which includes the MLS Cup Playoffs), this amount will be lowered to one player per MLS league season match. For MLS league season games, more players may also be signed to Short-Term Agreements, but only in the most dire circumstances.
Carleton signed a professional deal before of the 2023 season, and he is currently in his second full season with Atlanta United 2.
The native of Powder Springs played for the inaugural Atlanta United Academy squad that competed in the Generation adidas Cup in 2016. Carleton has made seven appearances for Atlanta’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate in 2024, including four starts. Carleton has now signed two short-term contracts with Atlanta; the first was signed on match day for the team’s March 2023 fixture against Columbus Crew.
The 19-year-old midfielder played for ATL UTD 2 last season, making 19 appearances and contributing an assist against the New York Red Bulls II.
Atlanta United roster (as of May 20, 2024)
Goalkeepers (3): Josh Cohen, Brad Guzan, Quentin Westberg
Defenders (9): Luis Abram, Noah Cobb, Matt Edwards^, Stian Gregersen, Ronald Hernández, Brooks Lennon, Efraín Morales, Caleb Wiley, Derrick Williams
Midfielders (12): Thiago Almada, Alan Carleton^, Nick Firmino, Ajani Fortune, Saba Lobjanidze, Dax McCarty, Edwin Mosquera, Tristan Muyumba, Bartosz Slisz, Adyn Torres, Jacob Williams^, Tyler Wolff
Forwards (6): Luke Brennan, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Ashton Gordon^, Daniel Ríos*, Xande Silva, Jamal Thiaré
*On loan from CD Guadalajara
^ Short-term agreement
Loaned Out for 2024 season: Franco Ibarra (Rosario Central), Santiago Sosa (Racing Club), Erik Centeno (ATL UTD 2)
