ATL Standard

On Wednesday, September 4, the ninth annual Academy Night Dinner was held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium by Atlanta United's Academy. The event marked the beginning of a new season for the academy players and their families.

The stadium was adorned with red and black decorations as attendees arrived dressed formally. This year, the Academy includes teams in age groups U-13 through U-18. The system aims to provide a pathway for players to advance their soccer careers, potentially reaching the first team as Homegrown players or securing opportunities at top colleges across the United States.

Before the event commenced, families took photos around various locations in the stadium, including an Atlanta United ice sculpture and a brightly lit arch resembling the one used by the first team.

The evening featured multiple speakers addressing the Academy players. Rob Valentino, interim head coach for Atlanta United, emphasized community building and personal integrity as key elements for creating a legacy both on and off the pitch. Garth Lagerwey, CEO & President of Atlanta United, expressed gratitude towards grassroots efforts that have shaped the club.

Several first-team players who advanced through the Academy were highlighted during speeches. Homegrown talents such as Noah Cobb, Luke Brennan, Efrain Morales, Matt Edwards, and Adyn Torres have all played minutes for Atlanta United.

Javier Pérez, Director of Methodology at Atlanta United, shared insights about his experiences from Spain and underscored the significance of being part of Atlanta United. Pérez also presented the Christian Carrillo Award to U-18 player Matthew Dejianne. The award honors traits exemplified by Carrillo—humility, hard work, and teamwork.

First-team forward Daniel Ríos attended and spoke about his own experiences in academy systems across Liga MX and MLS clubs. He noted how such events benefit young players by providing them with valuable tools and a supportive community.

The 2024 season began on Saturday with changes introduced as part of MLS NEXT’s fifth season. Notably, MLS academies transitioned from U-15/U-17 designations to U-16/U-18 age groups. The season opened on September 7 with home openers scheduled at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground in Marietta on September 14. Select matches will be streamed live on ATLUTD.com/live.