ATLANTA (March 15, 2024) - Atlanta United 2 today announced the club’s roster for the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season per the league’s roster compliance deadline. ATL UTD 2 hosts Orlando City B in its season opener on March 16 at Fifth Third Stadium in Kennesaw, with kickoff set for 3:00 p.m. ET (MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).
Atlanta United 2 single match tickets are available here.
Head coach Steve Cooke returns for his second year on the sideline after coaching his squad to a 9-13-6 record in 2023. In his first season at the helm, Cooke and his staff helped develop multiple talents that now appear on Atlanta United’s First Team squad, including Nick Firmino, who was named to the MLS NEXT Pro Best XI after finishing with a single-season club record 16 goals while his combined 22 goals and assists tied him for second in MLS NEXT Pro.
ATL UTD 2’s 2024 roster features a slew of new faces, including the club’s two 2024 MLS SuperDraft picks: former UConn goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert and Oregon State midfielder Javier Armas. Free agent signings include goalkeeper John Berner, defender Daniel Russo, midfielders Noble Okello and Jacob Williams and Forward Ashton Gordon, who earned a contract following his performances with the Academy. Matías Gallardo, Alan Carleton and Karim Tmimi headline returning players for ATL UTD 2, as well as Erik Centeno, who will be on loan with the squad for the 2024 season.
Defender Matt Edwards returns to the club after spending the past three years with the North Carolina Tar Heels. Edwards played for Atlanta United’s Academy after joining the U-17 squad in 2019. The Apex, N.C. native also served as captain of the U-19 side and made his debut for ATL UTD 2 during the 2020 USL Championship season, making eight appearances.
2024 Atlanta United 2 roster (as of March 15, 2023):
All contracts include team option years
NAME | DESIGNATION | CONTRACT |
|---|---|---|
Javier Armas | INTL | 2025 |
John Berner | 2024 | |
Alan Carleton | 2024 | |
Matt Edwards | 2024 | |
Matías Gallardo | INTL | 2024 |
Ashton Gordon | HG as of 1/1/2025 | 2024 (First Team as of 1/1/2025) |
Jayden Hibbert | 2024 (First Team as of 1/1/2025) | |
Noble Okello | 2024 | |
Daniel Russo | 2024 | |
Karim Tmimi | INTL | 2024 |
Jacob Williams | 2025 |
Season-Long Loan
NAME | DESIGNATION | CONTRACT |
|---|---|---|
Erik Centeno | GA | 2026 |
Designations:
GA = Generation adidas
HG = Homegrown
INTL = International
