MLS Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United Signs Ashton Gordon and Matt Edwards to Short-Term Agreements

Published on May 6, 2024 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release


ATLANTA - Atlanta United today announced that it has signed Ashton Gordon and Matt Edwards to Short-Term Agreements ahead of Tuesday's U.S. Open Cup match against Charlotte Independence (7:30 p.m. ET, WATCH HERE, 92.9 The Game, La Mejor).

Per 2024 MLS Roster Rules and Regulations, a club may sign a player, age 25 or younger during the league season, from its affiliate (MLS NEXT Pro) to a maximum of four Short-Term Agreements (up to four-day contracts) each season (maximum of 16 days). An individual player may be included 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 may appear in any number of non-league games during the terms of his four Short-Term Agreements.

A club may roster up to four players on Short-Term Agreements per MLS league season match, so long as they are Homegrown 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 MLS league season match after Roster Freeze (inclusive of MLS Cup Playoffs). Additional players may also be signed to Short-Term Agreements for MLS league season games but only in cases of Extreme Hardship.

Gordon signed with Atlanta United 2 on Jan. 29, 2024, after playing for Atlanta United's Academy since 2019. He has appeared in two matches for ATL UTD 2 this season. In 2023, the forward played with Atlanta United's U-17 side and helped lead the U-16 squad to an MLS NEXT Cup championship in June, leading the team with four goals during the playoff rounds of the tournament. Internationally, Gordon has made six appearances and registered two goals for Jamacia's youth national teams. During the 2024 Concacaf U-20 Championship Qualifiers, he made two appearances and scored the match-winning goal in a 3-2 win over Bermuda. In 2023, Gordon made four appearances at the 2023 CONCACAF U-17 Championship in Guatemala. He scored on his debut, a 4-2 win against Cuba's U-17s on Feb. 12, 2023.

Edwards signed with Atlanta United 2 on Dec. 22, 2023, after playing three seasons at the University of North Carolina. The ATL UTD 2 captain has started in all seven matches in the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro campaign, anchoring Atlanta's 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 side. 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 matches, including 16 starts, and recorded two assists in his final season in 2023, helping North Carolina make a run to the ACC Tournament Final and the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals.

Atlanta United roster (as of May 6, 2024)

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

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

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

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

*On loan from CD Guadalajara

^ Short-term agreement

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

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