Atlanta, we’ve got a star on the rise! Matt Edwards, Atlanta United’s homegrown right back, is stepping up in a big way early in his MLS career. The 22-year-old made his first-ever MLS start on February 22 against CF Montréal, holding his own in front of a packed Mercedes-Benz Stadium. With the energy of 65,000 fans roaring around him, Edwards delivered, proving he belongs on the big stage.
His strong performance earned him another call from head coach Ronny Deila, this time to face off against Charlotte FC and go toe-to-toe with elite attacking talents like Wilfried Zaha. Edwards is growing into his role with confidence, and 17s are quickly embracing the young talent as one of their own.
We sat down with Matt for “17 Questions”—giving Atlanta fans a chance to get to know their rising star off the pitch.
1. What’s your earliest memory playing soccer?
“I did little kickers on a turf field. Just a bunch of little kids running around, kicking the ball when I was about three or four years old.”
2. If you weren’t a professional soccer player, what would you be doing?
“I wish I was a golfer. That would be the best career path. The PGA Tour would be fun, for sure.”
3. Do you have any pre-match rituals?
“Yeah, I always read ‘The Confident Mind’ before every game to get mentally locked in. And I have to have Chipotle the night before—burrito bowl, side tortilla, chicken, beans, rice, sour cream, and vinaigrette. It’s fire.”
4. What’s your pre-match music vibe?
“It depends on my mood. Sometimes rap and hip-hop, sometimes just scrolling through TikTok.”
5. If you could swap places with a teammate for a day, who would it be?
“Probably Xande Silva. I feel like he just lives a crazy life.”
6. Who do you learn from the most in the squad?
“Pedro Amador. He’s class, so I try to mimic what he does.”
7. What did it mean to captain ATL UTD 2 last season?
“I was surprised at first, but it was a great responsibility and learning experience.”
8. Most important lesson from your time at UNC?
“Education is key. Always staying in a mindset of learning is huge. That’s how we grow as humans.”
9. Why did you study economics?
“The science of money, how people move with their finances—it’s fascinating, and something I wanted to get better at.”
10. Duke or NC State?
“NC State, for sure. Never Duke.”
11. You come from an athletic family. Are you the fastest?
“Not even close—I’m the fastest! I’ve raced my siblings and won every time. My mom might have been close in her prime, but I think I’d still take her.”
12. Best East Coast beach?
“Myrtle Beach—it’s the biggest.”
13. How would you describe yourself in a scouting report?
“Defensively minded, fast right back.”
14. Why No. 47?
“It just looks cool. And my grandpa was born in April 1947, so there’s meaning behind it.”
15. What was it like starting in front of 65,000 at the Benz?
“Nervous until the whistle blew. Then it was amazing—an experience I’ll never forget.”
16. How special is it to wear the ATL UTD badge after coming up through the academy?
“It’s a great story for the young guys coming up. There’s more than one way to make it to the first team.”
17. What do you want 17s to know about you?
“No matter what, I’ll always give my best and be there for my teammates and fans. You can count on me.”
Atlanta, this is our guy. A homegrown talent who bleeds red, black, and gold—Matt Edwards is just getting started. Keep an eye on No. 47, because his journey is one you won’t want to miss!
