Two individual performers on Atlanta United were recognized by the league after the team's dominant 3-0 win on the road over Charlotte FC. Caleb Wiley and Miles Robinson earned spots on the MLS Team of the Matchday presented by Audi, the league announced Monday.
Wiley contributed to all three of Atlanta United's goals on Saturday. The 18-year-old put on the most memorable performance of his young career, scoring a brace in the first half and also assisting Luiz Araújo's goal in the 12th minute.
With his performance, Wiley became just the fourth-youngest player in MLS history to produce at least three goal contributions in one half of a match. The Homegrown scored the first brace of his professional career and also had a goal and an assist in a match for the first time.
"Great performance by Caleb," head coach Gonzalo Pineda. "He was very good defensively. We are very high on him and think he will be a great player, and hopefully this game gives him more confidence."
Robinson joined Wiley on this week's MLS Team of the Matchday. The center back helped Atlanta United keep Charlotte FC off the board and earn Atlanta's first clean sheet of the season.
Robinson is playing his first competitive matches since returning from a season-ending injury during the 2022 season. The center back has shown a quickness and leanness to his movements so far in 2023. He's also been able to get back to a high fitness level, playing a full 90 minutes in all three of Atlanta United's matches.Â
"I'm very happy with the recovery," Pineda said. "One thing is the physicality that he naturally gets, but seeing him at that pace and strength tells me that the recovery was very good."Â
Wiley and Robinson become the second and third Atlanta United players to receive league honors this season. Thiago Almada was the first 5-Stripe to earn a spot on MLS Team of the Matchday after his game-tying and game-winning goals in Week 1. Almada was also voted MLS Player of the Matchday, the first player in the league to win the award this season.
The individual awards for Atlanta United reflects the team's early success. Three weeks into the regular season, Atlanta United has its best start in club history and remains unbeaten heading into a Week 4 matchup at home against Portland Timbers.
"[It was a] good start and good effort from the bench, the players aren’t selfish and are playing more of a role in the team," Pineda said. "I have full belief in all my players and we are happy with the performance."
