MONTREAL - Buried within the multitude of bad vibes from Atlanta United’s 1-0 loss at Montreal, a result in which the Five Stripes failed to put a shot on goal for the first time this season, is that centerback Noah Cobb is going to take a step forward in his developing career.
Cobb will join the U.S. men’s Under-20 national team that will compete in the CONCACAF championship in Mexico. Four nations will quality for next year’s FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile. The CONCACAF tourney will be the 18-year-old Cobb’s first major international competition.
“It’s really important, it means a lot to me to try to qualify for the World Cup,” he said. “And it would mean a lot to hopefully, potentially playing that. So yeah, I’m taking it really seriously. And I’m really excited.”
Competing for the U.S. means that Cobb will be unavailable to be selected by interim manager Rob Valentino for home matches against NYCFC on Wednesday and against Columbus on Saturday.
Cobb became a reliable choice in a two-centerback or three-centerback deployment for Gonzalo Pineda and Valentino this season. He has 17 appearances, including 15 starts.
Cobb took responsibility for Montreal’s goal on Saturday. His turnover started a counter. However, teammates failed pressure Raheem Edwards and properly mark Ruan on his header in the 51st minute.
After Stian Gregersen received his second yellow card in the 56th minute, Cobb and Derrick Williams became a two-centerback base. Cobb handled the transition well, showing what he has learned and his potential.
“It’s definitely difficult, but it’s what the game calls for,” he said. “You really have to do that. I mean, you’re down one, you’re down a man. I trust myself there in the back. I know it’s going to be difficult. A lot of times you’re going to be outnumbered. But I know that’s what the game calls for. And I know that’s my role in that situation. And I know that you know what I’m being asked to do.”
The U.S. U20s will play Jamaica on Friday, Cuba on July 22 and Costa Rica on July 25. Twelve teams divided into three groups will compete. The top two teams from each group and the two best third-place teams will advance to the single-elimination quarterfinals.
Cobb said he takes inspiration from teammate Caleb Wiley, whose sale to Chelsea for $11 million is on the verge of completion. Both Cobb and Wiley came through Atlanta United’s academy. Both are Homegrowns. Both dream of playing in Europe. A good performance by Cobb in the U20s could help him toward that goal.
“For the rest of us Homegrowns it makes it seem more real and seem, like, if that is your goal, then it is achievable,” Cobb said.
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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule
Feb. 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0
March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1
March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0
March 23 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 0
March 31 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 0
April 6 Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1
April 14 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2
April 20 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1
April 27 Atlanta United 1, Chicago 1
May 4 Minnesota 2, Atlanta United 1
May 7 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte Independence 0 in U.S. Open Cup
May 11 D.C. United 3, Atlanta United 2
May 15 Cincinnati 1, Atlanta United 0
May 18 Atlanta United 1, Nashville 1
May 21 Atlanta United 0 (5), Charleston 0 (4) in U.S. Open Cup
May 25 LAFC 1, Atlanta United 0
May 29 Atlanta United 3, Miami 1
June 2 Charlotte 3, Atlanta United 2
June 15 Atlanta United 2, Houston 2
June 19 Atlanta United 1, D.C. United 0
June 22 Atlanta United 1, St. Louis 1
June 29 Atlanta United 2, Toronto 1
July 3 New England 2, Atlanta United 1
July 6 Real Salt Lake 5, Atlanta United 2
July 9 vs. Indy Eleven 2, Atlanta United 1
July 13 Montreal 1, Atlanta United 0
July 17 vs. NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.
July 20 vs. Columbus, 7:30 p.m.
July 26 vs. D.C. United in Leagues Cup, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 4 vs. Santos Laguna in Leagues Cup, 4 p.m.
Aug. 24 at L.A. Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
Aug. 31 at Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 vs. Nashville, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 vs. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 vs. Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 at Orlando, 6 p.m.
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