Atlanta United signs Cincinnati goalkeeper

ajc.com

Atlanta United signed goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt, formerly of FC Cincinnati.

The team announced the acquisition Friday.

Hildebrandt, 29,  was one of the stars of the USL team, which advanced to the semifinals of this year’s U.S. Open Cup.

He is expected to compete with Alec Kann to backup Brad Guzan for Atlanta United. The team declined to pick up the option on Alex Tambakis and Kyle Reynish’s contract expired, leaving the Five Stripes with two goalkeepers heading into the 2018 season.

Hildebrandt kept seven clean sheets for Cincinnati in 32 starts last season and led the league in saves. He famously stopped three penalty kicks by the Chicago Fire to lead Cincinnati to an upset in the U.S. Open Cup.

He made 61 appearances for Cincinnati in two seasons. He was named the USL goalkeeper in 2016 after 10 shutouts and a goals-against average of 0.862. A Michigan native, he played for Oakland in college.