Vixamar explodes as U-17’s advance in GA Cup
Atlanta United’s U-17 squad clinched a place in the Generation Adidas Cup Champions Division in dominant fashion over the weekend, winning both of their home matches by a combined score of 11-1 to clinch first place in the East Region.
First up was the New England Revolution, who Atlanta United dominated by a 7-0 scoreline, followed by a tough New York Red Bulls squad that could only muster a 4-1 score. Finishing a weekend with a +10 goal differential comes down to a team effort, but Deedson Vixamar contributed heavily in the attacking third. Over two matches, the winger scored six goals and added three assists in an electric weekend for the young Five Stripes side.
That means the U-17 squad will enter the Champions Division, which puts them against the cream of the crop in North American soccer. It will also give them a valuable opportunity to face European competition for a chance at the Generation Adidas title.
10 Academy Players signed for NCAA Division I Soccer Programs
A memorable day at the Atlanta United training ground this month as ten academy graduates signed their official commitment letters to Division I soccer programs on National Signing Day. The impressive group will go as far as UCLA, Brown, and everywhere in between.
“We’re not just trying to produce that professional,” said Academy Director Tony Annan. “We’re also trying to produce good guys who can go on to the next level of college soccer and progress, whether that’s as a professional soccer player or a doctor or lawyer.”
An Academy graduate returns to Atlanta as a pro
Another Atlanta United Academy success story from the past month came in the form of Laurent Kissiedou. The Academy standout, who spent last season playing in the USL with the Charleston Battery, was announced as the latest addition to ATL UTD 2, the club’s USL side that will debut this year. Kissiedou’s close control in midfield is impressive for a player his age, and his professional experience with the Battery last year will serve him well on top of the foundation laid in the Atlanta United Academy.
Goals of the Month
No mention of the past month at the Atlanta United should go without these two finishes. Dawson Gideon and Victor Pereyra-Zavala scored these absolute screamers for the U-19’s just a few weeks ago:
🚀😱#ATLUTD Academy U-19s goals from Dawson Gideon & Victor Pereyra-Zavala pic.twitter.com/HdcCKjA6MW
— ATLUTD Academy (@AcademyATLUTD) January 30, 2018
