ATL Standard

After taking on Charlotte FC on August 31, Atlanta United will face another regional rival this Saturday. The club hosts Nashville SC for Latin Heritage Night. This week also features an exciting event for the Atlanta United Unified Team as they play against Nashville SC's Unified team.

The Unified program is a league-wide initiative that began in 2013 as part of MLS Works, Major League Soccer’s community outreach program, in partnership with Special Olympics North America (SONA). The goal of the program is to bring soccer to athletes with intellectual disabilities.

For Atlanta, the Unified Team has been integral to the club's identity since its inception. When Atlanta United joined the league as an expansion side in 2017, Unified already existed in MLS. Atlanta United’s founding president Darren Eales and current Director of Community Engagement Marissa Ahrens prioritized having a Unified Team for the new club.

The Atlanta United Unified Team played its first season in 2017 alongside the first team. That year, there were 14 members who played two matches—one home and one away against Orlando City SC.

The Atlanta United Unified Team consists of athletes (those with intellectual disabilities) and partners (those without intellectual disabilities) playing soccer inclusively. The group wears matching gear for training sessions and authentic uniforms provided by adidas for matches. During one of the first training sessions of the year at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground, players received personalized travel bags and training gear.

The roster is honored with an annual Signing Day celebration to kick off the season. Initially held at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground, it moved outside in 2021. The signing for the 2024 squad took place at Park Tavern in Atlanta. Families are invited to watch as players sign their contracts, receive their jerseys, and celebrate with teammates. First team ambassadors and members of the club’s front office usually attend.

Unified ambassadors are first-team players who participate in the program, visit training sessions, and greet players on Signing Day. Brad Guzan has been a longtime ambassador since 2017 alongside Greg Garza and Mark Bloom initially; this season Tyler Wolff joins Guzan as an ambassador.

Some of the best Unified players across MLS participate annually in an All-Star event held concurrently with MLS All-Star festivities. On July 23, Columbus hosted this year's MLS Unified All-Star Game where each team selected two representatives: one athlete and one partner from their respective clubs. Kelly Robinson and Emma Sim represented Atlanta United this season.

Anticipation is high for this year's squad rumored to be among the best in club history. Matches are scheduled alongside those of Atlanta United's first team to promote inclusivity and showcase talents to supporters at Mercedes-Benz Stadium or during travels for away games.

This Saturday marks their third match this year—their first home game—after victories over Nashville's Unified team at GEODIS Park (2-0) and Los Angeles Galaxy's Unified team (3-2).