Atlanta United’s Caleb Wiley could qualify for the Olympics

ATLANTA — Running on the field for Atlanta United took years of training for 19-year-old phenom Caleb Wiley.

“Putting my head down, working hard every day and doing what I do” is his strategy, he said.

He hopes what he does adds up to what he hopes to be: an Olympian.

“First there is hard work. When I train here with ATLUD and when I am in camps to show who I am on the field and then who I am as a person, I think it’s equally important,” he said.

Wiley, who just turned 19 last December, has worked his entire life to make the U.S. under-23 Olympic team for the Paris Games.

“It would mean so much. It’s a huge honor any time I get to represent my country. It means a lot to my family and friends. I know the club and the city of Atlanta. So it would mean a lot to me,” Wiley said.

And everyone – from his family to the fans to his coaches at Atlanta United – is cheering him on.

“Now he’s about to go to the Olympics, which is a huge, huge tournament for them, so I hope he can get there because he deserves it,” said Gonzalo Pineda Reyes, then head coach of Atlanta United. “He worked very, very hard to get this opportunity, and we are all very, very happy for him.”

Caleb has been with the club since the age of 12, where he served as a ball boy for the national team in 2018. He rose through the ranks from the academy to the practice squad to become not only a starter in the Major League Atlanta United. A football team, but an impact player.

“Super happy for him. Caleb Wiley always makes me smile because he’s a sweet kid. He’s a great talent,” Reyes said.

Now he hopes to be great for the USA

“There are a lot of things to do, but for me, what stands out is being patient. Understanding that everyone has different paths, and whatever path you take, you have to fully believe in it” , Wiley said.

The Olympic team will be announced between July 3 and 8.