The first team may be done for the year, but the Academy season is in full season. Here’s what the future of Atlanta United has been up to in the past month.
Comeback win over Orlando City
We start back in October, when the U-17’s hosted several regional teams at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground. They’ve gone 4-2 overall in the past month but that first weekend provided the best results of that stretch, with 2 goals from Jackson Conway and a game-winner from Ousman Jabang pushing them past their neighbors to the South Orlando City 3-2.
Victory Shield
Dropping down an age group, a U-16 Atlanta United Academy member continues to make waves overseas, with Josh Francombe getting another call-up to represent the Welsh National Team. Josh travelled to Europe to participate in the Victory Shield, finishing in third place just behind Ireland and Northern Ireland.
NC Regional Showcase
The Atlanta United U-13’s and U-14’s put themselves up against the best of the east coast on Halloween at the U.S. Soccer Development Academy East Regional Showcase. The U-14’s got some valuable experience in a 1-1-1 weekend, including a 2-0 win over D.C. United. The U-13’s finished 2-1 on the weekend with 7 goals scored, beating out D.C. United and the Cedar Stars Academy, while falling one goal short against the New York Red Bulls. Keep an eye out for Jonathan Villal. The midfielder scored in every game, tallying four out of those seven goals himself.
Armada Showdown
The month started with a perfect day for the Atlanta United U-15’s and U-17’s as they hosted the Jacksonville Armada. They went 2-0 with a +5 goal differential. Aldo Campos, Kobey Stoup and Owen Barber scored for the younger side, while George Bello and Jackson Conway – who is blossoming into a lethal goal scorer for the Academy – all scored on the weekend.
Division 1 Success
Seven Atlanta United Academy graduates made their NCAA Soccer debut this college season, and several are getting some well-deserved recognition as the year comes to a close.
- Midfielder Machop Chol’s Wake Forest Demon Deacons clinched an ACC Championship as part of the #1 team in the country.
- Aldair Cortes, currently playing at Georgia Southern was named the Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year.
- Bryce Washington, who started in the Rutgers in all of their 18 matches this season, was selected to the Big 10 Conference All-Freshman Team.
- Defender Kareve Richards, who appeared in every game for Mercer this year, was named to the SoCon All-Freshman Team.
