:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59459831/usa_today_10757059.0.jpg)
If you didn’t plan to see Atlanta United 2 play this Saturday at 7 p.m., reconsider. Andrew Carleton will make his first appearance for the Five Stripes’ reserve team.
That feeling when you make your ATL UTD 2 debut tomorrow pic.twitter.com/Z8Wiww4TJl
— ATL UTD 2 (@atlutd2) April 20, 2018
A recent debate among the Atlanta fanbase is centered around what’s more beneficial for Carleton’s development: staying close to the first team and playing a handful of minutes for them as a late substitute on occasion or consistently playing an abundance of minutes against lesser competition in USL? Atlanta will soon test their options.
As the first team prepares for Saturday night’s showdown against the Los Angeles Galaxy, Carleton wasn’t seen coming off the team bus. However, he was training with ATL UTD 2 during the week.
Tata Martino was very coy in regard to his plans for the homegrown this weekend.
Tata on Carleton, who was training with AU2 today:
— Dirty South Soccer (@DirtySouthSoc) April 18, 2018
“We’re still deciding if he’ll play with the first team or the reserves this weekend. Why? Are you worried about him? He’s 17!”
Martino made it clear to the media during preseason preparations that Carleton would likely split his time between both the first and reserve teams throughout the season. The 17-year-old is yet another young talent looking to contribute to a team that has already played six teenagers in their first three matches.
Atlanta United 2 takes on defending USL champion Louisville City this Saturday at 7 p.m. at Coolray Field.