Noah Cobb making his mark on Atlanta United: “He has a bright future”

Noah Cobb’s 3rd career MLS start didn’t end in a win. That hasn’t dampened Atlanta United’s expectations of the heights he can achieve with the club.

Cobb was called into action due to the injury to Stian Gregersen and the absence of Luis Abram due to international obligations, playing all 90 minutes in a CB pairing with Derrick Williams during Atlanta’s 2-0 loss at Toronto FC.

Ask Williams, a veteran defender with Premier League and Championship experience before coming to MLS in 2021, how the 18-year-old’s doing, and there’s no doubt he believes the best is yet to come.

“He’s constantly asking questions, and he’s taking things on board,” he said following Atlanta United’s training session on Friday. “He has a bright future and [I’m] looking forward to working with him and seeing how he grows.”

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That’s not to say Cobb’s not been at the other end of an earful from his teammate. It’s for the best, though.

“Sometimes, us as defenders, we have to be aggressive and I want him to be aggressive,” he said. “He has that aggression in him. That’s one thing I like about him — he has that bite about him.”

Cobb’s role for Sunday against Chicago isn’t known yet. Even if he doesn’t play, or start, against the Fire, he should get his share of time later in the season, with Abram likely a part of Peru’s Copa America squad in the summer and Gregersen’s continued recovery and return to match fitness.

He impressed during Atlanta’s preseason, his second on a Homegrown Player contract and 3rd as a professional after signing with ATL UTD 2 from Atlanta United’s academy in 2022. He’ll still see occasional appearances with the 2s to remain match-fit and ready to contribute to the first team.

As for Williams, he’s confident that a star is in the making.

“We’ve got a good little connection on and off the field. I’ve tried to help him as much as I can,” he stated. “He has all the attributes to be a very good center back.”