Atlanta United

ATL UTD Academy alumni finding success in the college ranks

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Post-Season Awards


Three Atlanta United Academy alumni have received NCAA Division 1 postseason honors in their first year competing in the collegiate ranks.


Aldair Cortes, a midfielder at Georgia Southern University, was named Freshman of the Year for the Sun Belt Conference as well as earning a second-team all-conference honor after recording three goals in 16 starts. He currently sits third on the team in points as they head into the Sun Belt Conference Tournament play.

Bryce Washington, defender at Rutgers University, was named to the Big 10 Conference All-Freshman Team after a stellar first-year campaign in which he started all 18 games and tacked on a goal.

Kareve Richards, defender at Mercer University, was named to the SoCon All-Freshman team after appearing in all 19 games thus far, starting all but one. Richards has proven to be a critical of Mercer's backline that allowed just 1.16 goals per game this season.

Academy Alumni in NCAA


In addition to Cortes, Washington, and Richards, four other academy alumni have made their collegiate debuts in 2017.


Machop Chol a freshman midfielder has made 11 appearances and tallied 1 goal for the nationally top ranked Wake Forest Deamon Deacons who face Virginia in the ACC Championship game on Sunday.


Michael Ille has appeared off the bench for the Clemson University Tigers who are currently ranked #5 in NCAA Division 1 soccer.


Alhaji Tambadu has been a critical part of the Georgia Southern University midfield alongside Academy teammate Aldair Cortes, making 11 starts in 14 appearances and tallied an assist on the year.


Freshman goalkeeper Sam Morton recorded a shutout in his lone appearance for Princeton University in a 1-0 win over St. Johns.


Congratulations to all players on their early success as the first class of Academy alumni to compete at the NCAA level!

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