Atlanta United loans two players to USL affiliate

Atlanta United announced today that it has loaned left back Jose Hernandez and forward Patrick Okonkwo to their USL team for the 2019 season.

Today is MLS roster compliance day and these two moves seem to be the ones to get the club in good standing within the “rules.”

Hernandez, 21, was acquired in 2018 and appeared one time for the first team in MLS last season.

Okonkwo, 20, is a Homegrown Player. This will be his second straight season on loan after spending all of 2018 with the Charleston Battery.

This is exactly what Atlanta United 2 was meant for. Players can compete for spots in the first team during preseason, and those who wouldn’t end up seeing much playing time get a great opportunity in a top class facility to develop and hone their skills.

Atlanta United 2 will kick off its second season in its new home of Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia on March 9 against USL Championship expansion team Hartford Athletic at 7:30 p.m. EST.