Atlanta United is one of three clubs from Georgia that joined the MLS new youth-development platform.

Other clubs that joined are Lanier Soccer Academy and Southern Soccer Academy.

The initiative was the result of last month’s dissolution of the Development Academy run by U.S. Soccer. Sixty-five clubs that were in the DA are now part of the MLS platform, which has 95 teams composed of more than 8,000 players.

The platform will focus on “year-round competition, as well as player-identification initiatives, coaching-education opportunities, and additional programming to create the premier player-development environment,” according to MLS.

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Atlanta United defender Pedro Amador dribbles during the first half of the match against the New York Red Bulls at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey on Saturday May 31, 2025. (Courtesy of Brennan Asplen/Atlanta United)

Credit: Brennan Asplen/Atlanta United

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“Our members cannot be bought off,” General President Sean O’Brien said in a social media statement, calling UPS' offers “illegal and haphazard.” (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2023)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC