Matt Edwards: Keep Going, Keep Fighting

Persistence, dedication and humility. Those are the first three words that come to mind when describing Atlanta United 2’s Matt Edwards. At age 21, he displays a high level of maturity as he demonstrates confidence in his abilities as a player, but also the modesty to recognize that he still has work to do.

“I’m closer than I think, but I’m still really far,” Edwards said frequently throughout the exclusive interview he gave to Scarves and Spikes. A very short phrase, but one that speaks to the young athlete’s mentality and work ethic that led him to where he is today.

Edwards signed with the Five Stripes on Dec. 23, 2023 after spending three seasons at the University of North Carolina. He’s played soccer since he was three, but says he never actually planned to go pro. Rather, he saw soccer as a way to make college as affordable as possible. However, while in college, he had a realization that changed everything.

“By the time I got to college, I realized that I wasn’t as far off as a lot of the pro players, so I think that’s when I really kind of settled in on, ‘okay, I can actually make it if I keep going,'” Edwards said.

But that path didn’t come without its challenges. He tore his ACL during his freshman year – a season-ending injury that brings with it a lengthy recovery time and potential complications in the future. Five Stripe fans are well familiar with the decline that can follow such season-ending injuries, but Edwards wasn’t staying down for the count. Rather, he said this setback made him realize just how important soccer is in his life, and he wasn’t letting it go without a fight.

“I realized that the effort I put into making sure my knee was stable again and coming back from that, I realized that anything is possible,” Edwards said.

This attitude – this idea of fighting for everything – is something that Edwards picked up during his time at the Inter Development Football academy, which he credits as one of the most impactful experiences of his career. He joined the academy at 13 and spent six years learning about football and life from his coach Andre Fortune, father of Atlanta United midfielder Ajani Fortune who also came up through IDF and developed a close bond with Edwards. He says his coach was like a father to him that taught him a lot about being both a soccer player and a man.

“He [Andre Fortune] taught me a lot of life lessons, which helped me on the field because the better human you are, usually the better footballer you are,” Edwards said.

The most important thing Andre Fortune preached? Humility. Edwards described IDF as always being the underdog that no one has really heard of and is constantly facing unique challenges. Similarly, he found himself being the underdog when he first arrived at IDF. He understood quickly that nothing was just going to be handed to him. If he wanted something, he’d have to go and earn it.

Edwards worked hard to become one of the best of his class at IDF, and went on to join Atlanta United’s academy at the U17 level in 2019. He credits Jay Fortune for being the first to make the transition from IDF to the Five Stripes and opening the door for him.

Fast forward to the present where Edwards and Fortune shared the field wearing the colors of Atlanta United as the team played its first two matches of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Edwards started both games, the first being a 3-0 win over Charlotte Independence and the second a gritty 0-0 which saw the Five Stripes advance on penalties.

“Everything’s different when you’re playing with the first team. I mean, there’s more pressure, there’s more everything, so its definitely an adjustment,” Edwards said reflecting on his experience playing with the first team.

Playing with the first team also meant Edwards got to play alongside MLS and UNC legend Dax McCarty, an experience that Edwards called “surreal.” He said that McCarty helped him develop the confidence and mentality he needed to approach those big occasions.

After a first team debut where he recorded an assist and helped the team keep a clean sheet, Edwards came to a similar conclusion that he had in college:

“I think the biggest lesson I kind of learned was I’m closer than I think, but I’m still really far,” Edwards said.

Despite having just signed with the team over the winter, Edwards was given the role of team captain by head coach Steve Cooke. Edwards had already captained Atlanta United’s U19s while in the academy, an experience that helped prepare him for the role in the MLS Next Pro side. His leadership and ability to communicate with his fellow teammates are two of the main factors that earned him the armband.

“Just being loud, giving guys advice or giving them just ways to improve. I think, because I can understand the game, it helps being able to help them, too, and I think that’s the biggest quality the coaches saw in making me the captain,” Edwards said.

Off the pitch, Edwards likes to play golf and video games with his Atlanta United teammates, who have jokingly labeled him “the biggest hater.” He says this is because he likes to be honest and may occasionally throw a bit of shade in good spirit.

“For example, like one of my teammates will score a goal and then I’ll tell you it wasn’t that good of a goal,” Edwards said.

Whether he’s captaining the second team or lining up with the first team, Edwards carries with him the values he grew up with of working hard and never giving up. His message to Five Stripe fans is that he’s committed to give his 100% for the badge.

“I’m always going to try my hardest and hopefully I can help the team in any way I can,” Edwards said.

Edwards and his Atlanta United 2 teammates will be back in action on June 26 when they travel to face Orlando City B. You can stream all MLS Next Pro matches on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.