Atlanta, GA, September 3, 2025
News Summary
Atlanta United has announced that nine of its young players have been called up to various youth national teams, showcasing the talent development of its academy. Notable players include James Donaldson, who will join the U.S. U-17 squad, and Santiago Pita for the U.S. U-19 team. This recognition emphasizes the club’s effective development strategies and commitment to nurturing homegrown talent capable of competing on an international stage.
Atlanta – Atlanta United announced today that nine of its young players have received call-ups to various youth national teams. This recognition highlights the talent pool within the organization and the successful development strategies employed by the Atlanta United Academy and ATL UTD 2, the club’s second-team affiliate.
Among those called up is James Donaldson, who will join the U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team for a training camp in Fayetteville, Georgia from September 1-8. Donaldson recently signed his first professional contract with ATL UTD 2 and is due to become a Homegrown signing on January 1, 2027. During the previous season, he earned seven clean sheets while representing the Atlanta United Academy and was honored with the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award at the Generation adidas Cup.
Also receiving a call-up is Santiago Pita, who has been selected for the U.S. U-19 Men’s National Team. He will attend a training camp in Fayetteville, Georgia, coinciding with Donaldson’s camp from September 1-8. Pita has previously represented both Venezuela and the United States in youth national team competitions and has recorded two assists across six appearances for ATL UTD 2 during the current season.
Jonathan Ransom will represent Canada at the U-17 Men’s National Team camp in Spain, running from August 30 to September 10. Ransom has made eight appearances with ATL UTD 2 this season, helping the team secure three wins.
In total, four players are joining the U-16 team: Fred Bond, Joshua Brown, David Ilevbare, and Kai Martinez. Additionally, Blessed Chea and Santi Suarez have been called up to the U-15 team, further showcasing the depth of talent within the Atlanta United Academy.
The Atlanta United Academy season is set to kick off on September 6, while ATL UTD 2 currently holds a record of 7 wins, 8 losses, and 8 draws, accumulating a total of 31 points. They are scheduled to face Carolina Core FC at Truist Point Stadium on September 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Fans interested in following the team can access several matches via the MLS Season Pass or stream remaining games on MLSNEXTPro.com.
This influx of players into various national teams indicates the growing reputation of Atlanta United as a nurturing ground for soccer talent, as well as the commitment to developing homegrown players who can compete at national and international levels.
FAQ
- How many Atlanta United players received national team call-ups?
Nine players received call-ups, including two from ATL UTD 2 and seven from the Academy.
- When are the national team training camps for the players?
The U.S. U-17 and U-19 training camps are from September 1-8, while Canada’s U-17 camp is from August 30 to September 10.
- Who is James Donaldson?
James Donaldson is a goalkeeper who recently signed a professional contract with ATL UTD 2 and was awarded Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the Generation adidas Cup.
- What is ATL UTD 2’s current record?
ATL UTD 2 has a record of 7 wins, 8 losses, and 8 draws, totaling 31 points.
- When does the Atlanta United Academy season start?
The Atlanta United Academy season kicks off on September 6.
| Player | National Team | Training Camp Dates | Current Team | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Donaldson | U.S. U-17 | Sept 1-8 | ATL UTD 2 | Record: 7 clean sheets, Goalkeeper of the Tournament |
| Santiago Pita | U.S. U-19 | Sept 1-8 | ATL UTD 2 | 6 appearances, 2 assists |
| Jonathan Ransom | Canada U-17 | Aug 30-Sept 10 | ATL UTD 2 | 8 appearances, 3 wins |
| Fred Bond | U-16 | N/A | Atlanta United Academy | N/A |
| Joshua Brown | U-16 | N/A | Atlanta United Academy | N/A |
| David Ilevbare | U-16 | N/A | Atlanta United Academy | N/A |
| Kai Martinez | U-16 | N/A | Atlanta United Academy | N/A |
| Blessed Chea | U-15 | N/A | Atlanta United Academy | N/A |
| Santi Suarez | U-15 | N/A | Atlanta United Academy | N/A |
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Additional Resources
- Atlanta United Youth National Team Call-ups
- Atlanta United Match Strategy Insights
- Noah Cobb Returns to Atlanta United
- Atlanta United Unified Team in the Genuine World Cup
- Discover Atlanta: Why Atlanta is a Soccer City
- Wikipedia: Soccer in the United States
- Google Search: Atlanta United Soccer Academy
- Google Scholar: Atlanta United Youth National Team
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Atlanta United FC
- Google News: Atlanta United FC
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