A Morningside Kid: Atlanta United Bids Farewell to Homegrown Player Caleb Wiley

Atlanta United lifted the trophy that day, beating Portland 2-0 on December 8, 2018. It’s a day that the 17-year-olds remember with fondness, pride, joy, all the emotions. The beginning of an incredible run of success in the club’s history, which included the Campeones Cup and the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

And Wiley witnessed it all with his own eyes, the first professional title in Atlanta of his life.

“It’s crazy to see myself come out of the ball boy position and I remember the day we won MLS Cup,” he said. “I was so excited, it was the first time I felt what it was like to win, and then I got to experience it playing for the first team.”

Even then, even as early as 2018, Wiley’s story didn’t start there.

Wiley’s story actually begins in Atlanta. His family, his city, his neighborhood, his home.

He was born on December 22, 2004 here in Atlanta. He grew up in Morningside, a neighborhood northeast of Piedmont Park and just west of Decatur. He started playing soccer in the family backyard under the watchful eye of his parents, Chris and Jenn. He continued to play at the YMCA and local parks.

The timing was right. Just as Wiley was getting more serious and passionate about soccer, MLS announced it was bringing a professional club to Atlanta. And that meant more than just a first team. It set up a youth development system where local boys could learn the sport and play competitively, known as the Atlanta United Academy.

Scouts identified his talent and Wiley joined the Atlanta United Academy in 2016 at the age of 11 as a member of the club’s inaugural under-12 team.

And that was only the beginning.

Wiley progressed through the Academy. He made his professional debut on July 11, 2020, with Atlanta United 2. At 15 years and 206 days, he became the youngest player in club history to appear in a professional match. Wiley went on to play 11 games in 2020, all as a starter, and finished with 910 minutes of play. As a fullback, he led the 2 with 25 interceptions that season.

“We just tried to give Caleb a chance,” said his parents, Chris and Jenn. “He loves the game, so we try to put him on that path and support him and let him do what he does. And what he loves. For the Academy, it’s just great because you can see it and know that it can work.”