In an historic day for Atlanta United, the MLS expansion club's under-18 academy team played its first home game, defeating Tampa Chargers 5-1 on Saturday at Pace Academy's athletic complex in Mableton. The under-16 team followed with another game.
“I think you’ll see from the talent level today that we are really excited about the way Richard (Money) and his team have put the squads together, the way we have players from the different areas of Atlanta and the region,” Atlanta United President Darren Eales said.
Patrick Okonkwo opened the scoring for Atlanta United's U18s in the first half. He is a native of Atlanta who scored 40 goals in the Developmental Academy League in 2014-15 and 24 in 2015-16, according to dirtysouthsoccer.com.
The U18s were tied 1-1 later in the first half when the defense fell asleep on a set piece and allowed an easy goal.
But Okonkwo added two more goals in the second half on Saturday. Cheick Fofana and Edwin Figueroa also scored as the U18s improved to 3-0.
“Biggest thing for us and biggest excitement is seeing those palyers hopefully develop into (the) first team and start to be players that the fans can identity that have come from the area,” Eales said.
Atlanta United, which will begin play in MLS in 2017, was the first league team to start its academy before the senior team played a game. Eales said that underscores the seriousness with which Atlatna United wants to use the academy as a talent generator for the senior team. He points to the “phenomenal” success of FC Dallas, which is atop the Western Conference, as the academy bar to try to hit.
Andrew Carleton was the first of Atlanta United's academy player to sign a Homegrown Player contract with the team, which will begin play in MLS in 2017. He is currently with the U17 U.S. national team. The 16-year-old is on loan with the Charleston Battery in the USL, where he became the second youngest player to start a game in the league earlier this summer. A Homegrown Player is one who signs a contract with an MLS team after coming up through its academy. The salary of Homegrown Players don't count against the team's salary cap in certain situations.
“He’s doing well,” Eales said. “See hopefully in the days, weeks, months to come more players. That’s what this is all about.”
Eales said there are no immediate plays to sign any more of the academy players to Homegrown contracts, but he pointed that the team has a roster to fill and there may be no better opportunity for the players to prove their worth and earn a contract.
“I’m pretty sure there will be more coming down the line,” he said.
About the Author
