Caleb Wiley will be allowed to play for the U.S. if he is selected for its Under-20 World Cup team, he said Thursday.
The tournament will be held in Argentina from May 20-June 11. The U.S. is one of 24 teams that will compete. It is in Group B with Ecuador, Fiji and Slovakia. The U.S. will open against Ecuador on May 20.
“It’s one of the biggest tournaments for the youth groups,” said Wiley, an 18-year-old native of Atlanta. “It’s been a long cycle for 2020. So, I’ve been looking forward to it. And I’m very excited.”
Wiley has made 10 appearances, including nine starts, with three goals and two assists for Atlanta United this season. He has made 36 appearances, including 27 starts, with four goals and four assists in the past two seasons.
Wiley helped the U.S. qualify for the World Cup and has played well enough for Atlanta United that April 19 he earned his first call-up to the U.S. men’s national team. Wiley said he never expected to be called up so early in his career and that it is helping him as he tries to fulfill his goal of playing for the U.S. in the 2026 World Cup.
Wiley said playing consistently in MLS has increased his confidence ahead of the World Cup.
Wiley said he was told that he would be allowed to play in the tournament 10 days ago.
Not every MLS club is allowing its eligible players to compete in the World Cup, which doesn’t fall into a FIFA window in which call-ups can’t be denied by clubs.
Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda said the decision made by himself, President Garth Lagerwey and Vice President Carlos Bocanegra was simple.
“We know that for Caleb, it’s very, very important (to play in) the World Cup, same as Atlanta,” said Pineda, who added that the team has a plan in place to cover the five games that Wiley may miss.
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Atlanta United’s 2023 MLS schedule
Feb. 25 Atlanta United 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1
March 4 Atlanta United 1, Toronto FC 1
March 11 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte FC 0
March 18 Atlanta United 5, Portland 1
March 25 Columbus 6, Atlanta United 1
April 1 Atlanta United 1, New York Red Bulls 0
April 8 Atlanta United 1, New York City FC 1
April 15 Atlanta United 2, Toronto FC 2
April 23 Atlanta United 2, Chicago 1
April 29 Nashville SC 3, Atlanta United 1
May 6 at Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.
May 13 vs. Charlotte FC, 7:30 p.m.
May 17 vs. Colorado Rapids, 7:30 p.m.
May 20 at Chicago Fire FC, 8:30 p.m.
May 27 at Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m.
May 31 vs. New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m., FS1
June 3 at Los Angeles FC, 10:30 p.m.
June 10 vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
June 21 vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m.
June 24 at New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
July 2 vs. Philadelphia Union, 4 p.m., Fox
July 8 at CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
July 12 at New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m.
July 15 vs. Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m., FS1
Aug. 20 at Seattle Sounders, 10:30 p.m.
Aug. 26 vs. Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 30 vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 2 at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 16 vs. Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 23 vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 7 vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 21 at FC Cincinnati, TBA
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