Atlanta United signs short-term deals with Ashton Gordon and Matt Edwards

Atlanta United announced today that they have signed Ashton Gordon and Matt Edwards to short-term deals ahead of Tuesday’s US Open Cup match against Charlotte Independence (7:30 p.m. ET, WATCH HERE, 92.9 The Game, La Mejor) .

Per the rules and regulations of the MLS Roster 2024, a club may sign a player aged 25 or younger during the league season, from its affiliate (MLS NEXT Pro) for a maximum of four short-term deals (up to ‘to four days) each. season (maximum 16 days). An individual player may appear on up to four MLS league season match rosters each season, however, that player may appear in no more than two MLS league season matches. An individual player can participate in any number of non-league matches during the duration of their four short-term deals.

A club may sign up to four players on short-term deals per MLS league season game, provided they are local players or players earning less than or equal to the MLS senior minimum salary ( $89,716) with the affiliate. This number will be reduced to one player per game in the MLS Championship season after the roster freeze (including MLS Cup Playoffs). Additional players may also sign short-term deals for MLS league season matches, but only in cases of extreme hardship.

Gordon signed with Atlanta United 2 on January 29, 2024, after playing for the Atlanta United Academy since 2019. He appeared in two matches for ATL UTD 2 this season. In 2023, the forward played with Atlanta United’s U-17 team and helped lead the U-16 team to an MLS NEXT Cup championship in June, leading the team with four goals during the elimination rounds of the tournament. At international level, Gordon made six appearances and scored two goals for Jamacia’s national youth teams. During the 2024 Concacaf U-20 Championship qualifiers, he made two appearances and scored the winning goal in a 3–2 victory against Bermuda. In 2023, Gordon made four appearances at the 2023 CONCACAF U-17 Championship in Guatemala. He scored on his debut, a 4–2 victory against the Cuban U-17s on February 12, 2023.

Edwards signed with Atlanta United 2 on December 22, 2023, after playing three seasons at the University of North Carolina. The ATL UTD 2 captain has started all seven matches of the MLS NEXT Pro 2024 campaign, anchoring the Atlanta defense that has kept three clean sheets this season. Edwards joined the Atlanta United Academy in 2019 at the U-17 level and served as captain of the U-19 team. The versatile defender made his professional debut during the 2020 USL Championship season when he made eight appearances for ATL UTD 2. With the Tar Heels, the Apex, North Carolina native played in 43 matches over three seasons. He played in 18 games, including 16 starts, and recorded two assists in his final season in 2023, helping North Carolina advance to the ACC Tournament Finals and the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals.

Atlanta United squad (as of May 6, 2024)

Guardians (3): Josh Cohen, Brad Guzan, Quentin Westberg

Defenders (9): Luis Abram, Noah Cobb, Matt Edwards^, Stian Gregersen, Ronald Hernandez, Brooks Lennon, Efraín Morales, Caleb Wiley, Derrick Williams

Midfield (10): Thiago Almada, Nick Firmino, Ajani Fortune, Saba Lobjanidze, Dax McCarty, Edwin Mosquera, Tristan Muyumba, Bartosz Slisz, Adyn Torres, Tyler Wolff

Attackers (6): Luke Brennan, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Ashton Gordon^, Daniel Ríos*, Xande Silva, Jamal Thiaré

*Guadalajara CD loan

Loaned for the 2024 season: Franco Ibarra (Rosario Central), Santiago Sosa (Racing Club), Erik Centeno (ATL UTD 2)