Who will be Atlanta United’s next Homegrown Player?

Earlier this week, Atlanta United announced the signing of academy goalkeeper James Donaldson to his first professional contract. Donaldson will spend 2026 with Atlanta United 2 on an MLS NEXT PRO contract before receiving an automatic promotion to a Homegrown Player on the first-team roster in 2027.

The club is increasingly using the 2s as a professional stepping stone for many of its academy and college prospects, often referring to it as their “player development pathway”. Matthew Edwards began his return to the club with a “prove-it” deal with the 2s before earning a first-team promotion. Cooper Sanchez and Dominik Chong Qui both received early promotions this season from the 2s to the MLS roster, and Atlanta United 2 centerback Kaiden Moore is expected to become a Homegrown Player when he returns from loan to Union II in January.

With the club doubling down on its investment in academy player development, the quality of play at every level also increases, as does the number of players we (and the club) have to consider for professional contracts. Much of that emerging talent from the 2s and the academy was on display in an exhibition between the Atlanta United development pipeline and Belize on September 6th. Despite missing many of the top prospects who were away on international duty, the kids dominated the match with the help of a few key 2s professionals like Javi Armas, Rodrigo Neri, Ronan Wynne, Patrick Weah, Sal Mazzafero, and Moises Tablante.

As we look ahead at who could be our next Homegrown Player, most of these players could earn professional contracts with Atlanta United 2 instead of an outright Homegrown Player contract or as an early stage of that first contract.

Nigel Prince (’04) – CB – Northwestern University

The most likely college senior to return to Atlanta United this season is Northwestern’s four-year starter at centerback, Nigel Prince. We have talked a lot about Prince since he made his first cameo with Atlanta United 2 back in 2022. In our 2025 College Soccer Preview, I predicted that Prince could be the next in a growing series of academy products to return from college. The big question is whether the club will treat Prince like Garrison Tubbs or Matt Edwards.

Prince is a highly athletic and experienced centerback who will have played over 5,000 minutes of college competition by the time this season ends. While he could be a great option for the first team, his strong leadership qualities may position him to start his professional career with the 2s, with the understanding that he could earn an early promotion if he meets specific goals.

Jonathan Ransom (’08) – GK – Atlanta United 2

At the top of my list of current academy players is the unsigned member of Atlanta United’s highly talented goalkeeper trio of Jayden Hibbert, James Donaldson, and Ransom. With Brad Guzan and Josh Cohen’s contracts coming to an end after the 2025 season and 2024 SuperDraft pick Jayden Hibbert the heir apparent, the club looks ready for a reset at the position. Ransom continues to look very promising as he strings together a respectable series of starts in MLS NEXT Pro for the 2s this season. Though he may not be ready for MLS for another year or two, that should not be a problem with Hibbert ready to take on lead goalkeeping duties with the MLS side in 2026.

One important thing to watch when evaluating goalkeepers is their feet. Their hands can do a lot, but they won’t be effective if the feet are in the right place. Good footwork when defending can help a keeper overcome height limitations and can make their shot-stopping abilities skyrocket. Ransom has some of the best footwork we have seen from this academy. That also translates to when he has the ball at his feet, with consistent improvement in his passing and distribution.

He caught the attention of Canada’s youth national team system with call-ups to the Canadian U-17s earlier this season. It seems like only a matter of time for Ransom to start his professional career, and I believe that will be a 2s contract for 2026.

Gabriel Wesseh (’08) – attacker – Atlanta United 2

Wesseh has been a revelation in his first season with Atlanta United 2. The young attacking player has looked dangerous in almost every match he has played since arriving in Atlanta from the Philadelphia Union Academy. Wesseh has started 14 of his 18 games played with three goals and four assists so far across 443 minutes. Mostly used as a right wing under former manager Steve Cooke, Wesseh now plays more of an attacking midfielder role in 2s manager Jose Silva’s 3-4-2-1 formation. Silva’s new approach has been a revelation for much of this player pool and could be a sign of what is to come for the entire development pyramid. Wesseh’s new, more central role as an attacking midfielder allows him more fluidity and creativity as he can now be more of a creator. In this new system, he can range from the widest parts of the attacking third to the penalty spot, interchanging with his wingback partner and the other two members of the attacking trio. In the first month after making the switch, Wesseh led the team with 18 key passes and three assists.

The club needs more dynamic attacking depth, and Wesseh should be part of that solution.

Santiago Pita (’07) – AM – Atlanta United 2

Another player to benefit greatly from Silva’s new tactics has been Santiago Pita. Pita plays as Wesseh’s attacking partner in an attacking midfield tandem between the target striker and the double pivot 6s. He has a strong motor and does a lot of good work to find his attacking partners in dangerous areas. Lined up primarily on the left side of the attack, Pita combines well with Dominik Chong Qui at left wingback to harass opposing defensive lines and elude opposing holding midfielders. Pita uses his space well when off the ball, drifting into passing lanes and dragging defenders away from where his teammates are going to go.

Pita is currently on a 2s contract after joining the academy in the summer of 2024.

David D’Angelo Sibrian (’09) – DM – Atlanta United 2

Another surprise to come from the second half of this MLS NEXT PRO season has been the early emergence of DD Sibrian as Cooper Sanchez’s midfield partner. Sibrian is often the youngest player on the field and sometimes looks like the least experienced guy, but he is holding his own and is learning on the job. The double pivot of Sibrian and Sanchez has been a key component of Atlanta United 2’s late-season push for their first MLS NEXT PRO postseason performance, and has been strong enough to push former team captain Javi Armas to the bench and keep Adyn Torres off the field.

Sibrian is still just an academy player, so an MLS NEXT PRO contract with the 2s seems more likely than an outright Homegrown Player Contract at this time. That said, he has shown enough to earn a professional contract in 2026.

Toto Majub (’06) – LB/CB – Atlanta United 2

I have to admit, I was a little bit skeptical of Majub after seeing his first few appearances with the 2s, but since then, he has become one of my favorite defenders on that team. As a left-back, Majub often got caught out of position or looked uncomfortable as he attempted to match his desire to go forward with his ferocious defensive energy. As a left centerback in a back-3, Majub has found his niche and is excelling. He is a powerful defender with a great deal of quickness and recovery speed that can sometimes get him into trouble when bailing out his teammates, but that will only improve as he gains more experience. Majub also loves to push the ball forward and join the attack. There is an indescribable excitement that comes from watching a centerback streak up the pitch through opposing lines to find the attack. Ever since Silva’s tactical switch, Majub has experienced a great deal more freedom to play in a way that feels more authentic and joyful.

With the club undergoing a complete overhaul of its center-back group, Majub could be a solid in-house option for the second half of 2026, bringing athleticism and versatility to the first-team bench.

Honorable Mention

Many of the honorable mentions featured well in their exhibition debuts against Belize, and many have also made their debuts for the 2s. Atlanta United Technical Director Chris Henderson promised a younger 2s team in 2026, so many of these names could become prominent parts of that roster.

It didn’t take long for Iggy Suarez (’09) to make his mark with the 2s. Just a couple of appearances after signing his MLS NEXT Pro contract, Suarez became the youngest-ever 2s player to score a goal. Suarez is currently signed through 2026 with an option for 2027.

“We’re excited for Ignacio to take the next step in his player development path with Atlanta United 2,” said Atlanta United Director of Methodology Javier Perez. “His signing signifies a new era in our player development path. Similar to other signings this season, we want to look at prospects who can make an impact from an early age. Our second team exposes them in the best environment possible so they can get familiar with the competitive and professional side of the game. This next challenge for Ignacio will provide that opportunity and we’re confident that he’ll take his development to the next level.”

Iggy Suarez’s younger brother, Santiago, should also be in the club’s plans. Santi (’11) already plays up a couple of age groups and is developing into quite an impressive attacking player. While Iggy is more of a 10 or wing, Santi is a bit more central and direct as a 10 or 9. He may end up following his brother’s path to the 2s by this time next year.

Another attacking prospect who played extremely well against Belize is Amir Henry. Henry has moved around positionally for the organization from center forward to wing and now to a right wingback position in Silva’s 3-4-2-1. He looked fantastic as the only outfield player to go the full 90 against Belize. He had a tough task to deal with, competing against a very fast and dynamic left wing, but found plenty of opportunities to get forward in the attack. Henry looked very calm and smooth along the right flank and could remain in that role going forward as the club reassesses its rightback and right wingback depth chart.

Lined up next to Amir Henry in the midfield against Belize were Damola Browne (’09) and David Illevabare (’10). Browne and Illevabare looked very comfortable and at times outright dominant against Belize as a double pivot. Both players moved the ball well while shielding the backline and took their opportunities going forward, including a good strike on goal by Browne. They are two of a very deep group of central midfielders in Atlanta United’s player pipeline that continue to push older academy products like Adyn Torres, Cooper Sanchez, Will Reilly, and Jay Fortune. At some point soon, Steven Alzate may be the sole midfielder on the MLS roster who was not developed by the club.

Ilan Ettinger (’06) and Isaac Isaac (’09) both had fantastic performances on either side of Javi Armas against Belize. They represent a continuation of Atlanta’s “centerback university” pipeline that consistently churns out athletic and technically gifted defensive talent. Ettinger is already making the matchday bench for the 2s this season and both could play a significant role with the 2s next year. Dulani Renni (’10) is another one of the young centerbacks we are excited to see this Fall MLS NEXT season.

Did I mention that the goalkeeper depth chart is insane? Look no further than Reuben Clarson (’07) who has looked the part of the 2s ever since he came over from Concorde Fire this past summer. Add in Lucas Elias da Silva (’09) and you have a fantastic problem of four goalkeepers who legitimately deserve starting minutes between the 2s and the U-18/19s. The youth movement is here at the goalkeeper position, or at least it should be.

One last player we are intrigued to see this Fall in MLS NEXT and hopefully a lot more with the 2s in 2026 is Puerto Rican youth international Isaiah Vicentti (’08). Atlanta has a good problem at centerforward with Patrick Weah, Rodrigo Neri, and Isaiah Vicentti all capable of playing the target 9 role at a high level. For now, Vicentii is behind the other two with most of his minutes still coming from the upper levels of the academy. That may change soon thanks to his high work rate, strong distribution skills as a 9, nose for goal, and above average capacity to make exciting things happen.

College in 2027

Remi Okunlola could be the right-back prospect of the future for Atlanta United. Over his first three seasons as a full-time starter for Clemson, Okunlola has developed into a very well-rounded two-way player on the right flank. Depending on the team’s needs, he has shifted around from right wing to right wingback to a traditional rightback and right centerback in a back-3. He can do it all and can tee up players with fantastic passing and crossing. With Brooks Lennon and Ronald Hernandez at the end of their contracts at the end of the 2026 season, the club will need options at right-back and Okunlola could be a fantastic long-term option.

Another player who could have been a Homegrown Player during his impressive time playing for Atlanta United 2 is the University of Virginia’s central midfielder, Brendan Lambe. Lambe continues to get more and more impressive as a player. After being used in a wide role last season, Lambe returned to a more natural central role to start his third college season. It was beautiful to behold. Lambe is so smooth on the ball and is excellent at shielding the ball with his body. His passing continues to improve to exceptional levels, and he even bagged his first college goal. Unfortunately, a reckless challenge by an opponent early in the season sidelined him with an injury. The difference is noticeable for UVA. Lambe is a special player who could be a mainstay for any roster, so we wish him well and look forward to seeing him back on the field soon.

Another midfielder who is on the verge of breaking out is NC State’s incoming attacking midfielder, Justin McLean. After three impressive and consistent seasons starting for Georgia State as a winger and attacking midfielder, McLean transferred to an ACC team on the rise. He has looked dangerous so far as he works his way into the rotation of a very deep roster. McLean is considered a Junior despite this being his fourth season, so he could have two full seasons in Raleigh to continue developing before Atlanta needs to make a decision about him. He could be a strong veteran addition to the 2s in 2028, or he could excel for another team at a comparable level like Daniel Mangarov, who is having a great season for Chattanooga FC.

One player who quickly became a fan favorite was Furman’s new Freshman left-back, Braden Dunham. Dunham emerged from Dominik Chong Qui’s shadow last Fall and quickly rose through the development pipeline to play an important role for the U-19s and the 2s this Spring and Summer. Despite the kind of quick rise that would normally lead to a 2s contract, Dunham stuck with his committment to Furman, where he became an immediate starter. Dunham is one of those rare players that we are already projecting to return to Atlanta to start his professional career.

That wraps up our best guesses as to which players could be the “Next Homegrown” signing. Frankly, several of these guys could sign this winter, so the exact order is not as significant as the fact that this club’s development pipeline is loaded right now and should continue creating tough decisions for Chris Henderson. Our hope is that he will embrace the incredible opportunity these young talents offer him as he is building the roster, and that our head coach will continue to create opportunities for our young talent to earn meaningful roles. As fans, we can embrace the opportunity to celebrate these young people as they pursue their dreams to the highest levels.