Atlanta United Sign First Homegrown Player Andrew Carleton
Atlanta United is a breath of fresh air on the soccer scene. Innovative, original and determined, Atlanta United is preparing for its first season in MLS with a new, state-of-the-art training ground and out of the box thinking. Carlos Bocanegra — the two-time MLS Defender of the Year who has enjoyed an international pro soccer career in England, Scotland, France, and Spain — is Atlanta United Technical Director. Looking to build Major League Soccer’s 22nd franchise into a top professional soccer club and development academy, Bocanegra is always evaluating the strengths of other programs with the goal of bringing together the best of the best. As the club approaches its 2017 inaugural season, they will have a fully-funded U.S. Soccer Development Academy program as of August 2016. Today, Atlanta United announced their first homegrown player signing.
Soccer News: Atlanta United today announced the signing of 15-year-old midfielder Andrew Carleton. Carleton will be added to Atlanta’s roster as a Homegrown Player in 2017 — upon completion of the necessary Homegrown Player training requirements. Carleton — who will turn 16 years old in a few weeks — is a native of Powder Springs, GA, and is the first player to sign a Homegrown Player contract with the Atlanta United.
“We’re excited to welcome Andrew to the club,” said Atlanta United technical director Carlos Bocanegra. “He’s an outstanding young talent with strong ties to Georgia soccer so we’re very proud to name him the first homegrown player in club history. Andrew has been a mainstay with the U.S. Youth National Teams from a young age and we look forward to watching him develop as a professional.”
SoccerToday spoke to Carlos Bocanegra briefly this morning to find out more on this homegrown player signing.
Diane Scavuzzo: What makes Andrew Carleton so special? What are his greatest strengths?
Carlos Bocanegra: Andrew is a top young talent in America on the National youth team circuit and we are very fortunate he was born in Georgia. He is an exciting young prospect — an attacking player people like to watch.
Diane Scavuzzo: What are Andrew Carleton’s greatest strengths?
Carlos Bocanegra: Andrew is a skillful and creative player, he can score and give the final pass.
Diane Scavuzzo: What differentiates your U.S. Soccer Development Academy?
Carlos Bocanegra: Our $60 million facility – 3-acre site training ground with 6 fields total – will have everyone including the first team, front office and academy players sharing the same building, eating in the same place.
When you have everyone interacting together, when everyone is on the same page — it becomes one club with a single goal — a competitive environment where we are trying to achieve excellence.
Diane Scavuzzo: How important are homegrown players to the MLS?
The Atlanta United front office team, including owner Arthur Blank, along with club supporters officially welcomed Carleton at Atlanta landmark restaurant The Varsity where he signed his first MLS contract.
Carleton joined the U.S. Youth National Team at the U15 level and is currently in residency with the U17 National Team. A creative and technical player, Carleton has an attacking playing style that fits well into Atlanta United’s approach to building its first team.
As part of the U15 National Team, Carleton scored seven goals in five matches in the 2015 Tournament delle Nazioni in Gradisca, Italy. In 2016, he scored two goals in four matches in the Mercedes-Benz Aegean Cup with the U17 squad.
“As a new club coming into the league, it’s critical that we build a strong foundation with young, talented players from our home territory,” said Atlanta United president Darren Eales. “Andrew is a great example of the deep talent pool we have to draw from in Georgia. We’ve been very impressed with his athletic ability as well as his character off the field.”
Carleton will turn sixteen on June 22 and is currently preparing for the U17 World Cup.
Atlanta United recently launched its U.S. Soccer Development Academy (DA) for levels U18, U16, U14, U13 and U12. Atlanta United is taking on the U18 and U16 levels from Carleton’s home club Georgia United Soccer Alliance (GUSA).
Transaction: Atlanta United signs Andrew Carleton. Carleton will be added to Atlanta’s roster as a Homegrown Player in 2017 upon completion of the necessary Homegrown Player training requirements.
