2026 ATL UTD 2 Coaching Staff

Birthplace: Sevilla, Spain

Jose Silva was named head coach of ATL UTD 2 on Dec. 15, 2025, after having been the interim for the team’s final 12 games of 2025, leading his side to a 6-5-1 overall record during his limited tenure. Silva has been with the Atlanta United Academy since 2021. During his time in the Academy, he coached the club’s U-19 team and has been named UPSL Coach of the Year on two occasions (Fall 2021 & 2022). His U-19 side was the Georgia Conference Regular Season Champion in the Fall 2022 season. Before Atlanta United, Silva previously coached with Orlando City’s Academy and USL teams.

Birthplace: Richmond, Virginia

Will Bates joined the club in 2021 as U13 Academy coach, working his way up each age level until he ultimately became the head coach of the U16 side. In the 2024-25 season, his side became MLS NEXT Cup semi-finalists, and in 2025-26, his side reached the finals. His qualifications include an Elite Formation Coaching License as well as a US Soccer A Coaching License. 

As a collegiate player, he won the 2009 National Championship at the University of Virginia, where he finished with 46 goals, 7th in school history. In 2013, he was drafted 5th overall in the MLS Supplemental Draft to the Seattle Sounders, where he played with the club from 2014-15.

Birthplace: Sunderland, UK

Lewis Sharpe was promoted to ATL UTD 2 goalkeeper coach prior to the 2020 season. Before ATL UTD 2, he had served as the Atlanta United Academy goalkeeper coach since 2017. As a player, Sharpe attended Georgia Gwinnett College where he holds nearly every goalkeeper record in the program’s history. In 2016, his senior year, he was named AII Player of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year.  Afterwards, he joined GGC’s men’s soccer coaching staff for the 2017 season and was an assistant coach at Oglethorpe University in 2018-2020 when the team won the SAA regular season championship both years. 

Sharpe also spent time with professional clubs Middlesbrough FC and Gateshead FC at youth level.