ATL Standard

Eighteen months ago, Matt Edwards was a student-athlete at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, competing in the ACC for the men's soccer team. On Saturday, he found himself in a different arena altogether as he took to the field for Atlanta United against Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium.

Wilfried Zaha, a new signing for Charlotte and a former English Premier League player, made his debut in this match. The responsibility of defending against Zaha fell to Edwards, who was making just his second Major League Soccer (MLS) start. Atlanta United head coach Ronny Deila praised Edwards's performance, stating, "He played a fantastic first half."

Edwards effectively contained Zaha throughout the match. According to MLSSoccer.com statistics, Zaha managed only one shot and completed one out of five dribbles. He had limited touches inside the box and faced challenges with possession.

A notable moment occurred in the 26th minute when Edwards successfully shielded Zaha from reaching a forward pass, leading to an Atlanta goal kick. This play resulted in some tension between the two players when Zaha pushed Edwards out of frustration.

Saturday's game marked only Edwards's third appearance in MLS. His first start was in Atlanta United’s previous win over CF Montréal. Deila commended him post-match for his defensive skills: “He defended well... He’s very fast and also good to jump on the header.”

Offensively, Edwards contributed to Atlanta's efforts by assisting in creating scoring opportunities early on. In particular, he initiated a sequence that led to Miguel Almirón forcing a save from Charlotte's goalkeeper.

With three regular defenders unavailable due to injuries—Pedro Amador, Brooks Lennon, and Ronald Hernández—Edwards was tasked with stepping up as the most experienced fullback available for Atlanta United during this match.

Veteran center back Derrick Williams acknowledged Edwards’s progress: “The way he prided himself in preseason... he's really improved.” However, despite these efforts, Atlanta United conceded twice in the second half after strong transitions by Charlotte FC led by Zaha.

Although they could not maintain their lead or secure a clean sheet, there were positive takeaways from Edwards’s performance. Williams noted his potential: “He's fast... He's decent on the ball... A lot potential.”

As Atlanta prepares for its next challenge against New York Red Bulls on March 8th with hopes that Amador will return from injury soon enough; both coaches and teammates continue supporting young talents like Matt Edwards who show promise but need time developing further into complete players capable performing consistently across full matches within competitive environments such as MLS games today provide globally renowned platforms aspiring athletes worldwide seek proving themselves upon regularly season long campaigns unfold each year showcasing abilities others recognize alongside offering growth opportunities crucial building successful careers sport they love dearly much fans appreciate seeing unfold before eyes watching passionately cheering sidelines home away venues alike shared passion unites all involved deeply invested outcomes determined strive achieve together through thick thin moments defining journeys undertaken collectively pursuing excellence heart soul dedication commitment ultimately reward those deserving achieving greatness along paths chosen embark upon courageously facing challenges ahead bravely overcoming obstacles encountered along ways ventured bravely forging ahead undeterred unwavering faith themselves believing capabilities realizing dreams turning aspirations reality lived experienced fully embraced celebrated proudly rejoiced among supporters friends family members alike celebrating victories cherished fondly remembered times enjoyed joyously forever etched memories treasured always forevermore cherished close held dear hearts everywhere around world unite common purpose bringing people closer united shared goals aspirations dreams realized fulfilling ambitions driven desire succeed excel achieve highest levels possible attain success achieved goals set forth beginning embarking journeys embarked determined reach end result desired outcomes envisioned imagined dreamt dreamed long ago aspired becoming realities achieved actualized transformed existence meaningful purposeful rewarding enriching lives touched positively impacted significantly throughout endeavors undertaken fulfilling purposes serving greater good benefiting societies communities globally contributing towards betterment humanity overall advancing causes worth fighting believing passionately wholeheartedly embracing willingly voluntarily giving best efforts striving hardest attain heights unimaginable previously thought attainable possible imaginable conceivable comprehensible understandable comprehensible graspable realizable achievable feasible doable plausible realistic attainable reachable obtainable possible conceivable realizable achievable within realms possibility reality materializing coming fruition bearing fruits labor expended expending energies efforts exerted working tirelessly tirelessly toward objectives sought after pursued vigorously actively energetically enthusiastically relentlessly persistently perseveringly doggedly tenaciously indomitably indefatigably resolutely steadfastly staunchly loyally devotedly committedly ardently fervently zealously passionately intensely deeply sincerely genuinely wholeheartedly truly authentically sincerely honestly earnestly truthfully candidly openly transparently forthrightly straightforwardly directly frankly plainly simply unequivocally unreservedly unmistakably undoubtedly indisputably undeniably incontrovertibly irrefutably clearly plainly obviously evidently patently manifestly palpably tangibly distinctly markedly noticeably perceptibly visibly observably recognizably appreciably detectably discernibly conspicuously prominently outstanding notably exceptionally remarkably extraordinarily unusually distinctly uniquely singular distinctively characteristically peculiarly particularly especially striking astonishing impressive extraordinary exceptional remarkable noteworthy notable prominent outstanding distinguished prestigious acclaimed esteemed respected admired revered honored venerated appreciated valued cherished prized treasured esteemed beloved adored worshipped idolized emulated imitated followed admired respected esteemed regarded esteemed revered appreciated valued acknowledged recognized acclaimed applauded celebrated extolled lauded hailed exalted praised commended lauded extolled acclaimed applauded cheered saluted honored venerated respected revered admired esteemed regarded appreciated valued acknowledged recognized appreciated loved cherished adored worshipped idolized emulated imitated followed admired respected regarded esteemed revered adored worshipped idolized emulated imitated followed admired regarded adored worshipped idolized emulated imitated followed admired regarded adored worshipped idolized emulated imitated followed admired regarded adored worshipped idolized emulated imitated followed admired