ATLANTA – Atlanta United’s Academy today announced its coaching staff and the competitions each team will play in for the upcoming 2022-23 season. Entering its seventh season, Atlanta United’s Academy will field seven teams and compete across three leagues.
The club held its annual Academy dinner this week at Mercedes-Benz Stadium where owner and chairman Arthur Blank, vice president and technical director Carlos Bocanegra, Atlanta United head coach Gonzalo Pineda, ATL UTD 2 head coach Jack Collison and Academy Director Matt Lawrey addressed the players. The event was emceed by Atlanta United radio commentators Mike Conti and Jason Longshore.
The Academy’s U-13s through U-17s will compete in MLS NEXT, the youth development platform created by Major League Soccer in 2020. Additionally, the U-19s will compete in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) while the U-12s will compete in Southeastern Clubs Champions League (SCCL), respectively.
The U-12s are led by Bruno Ramos, who joined the club in January. Ramos was previously the Boys Director of Futsal and Advanced Development Program at Richmond Strikers.
Will Bates, a former striker at University of Virginia and Seattle Sounders’ first round 2013 MLS SuperDraft pick, returns to coach the U-13s for a second season. The U-13 MLS NEXT season begins on Sept. 10.
The U-14s will be led by Ricky Davey, who left National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) side Georgia Revolution FC to join the Atlanta United Academy staff in October 2021. Davey is also a former assistant coach of Georgia State University men’s soccer. The U-14 MLS NEXT season begins on Sept. 10.
Zach Herold, former US Youth National Team standout and 2010 MLS SuperDraft Pick, moves up to the U-15 squad after three years with the U-14s. The U-15 MLS NEXT season begins on Sept. 11.
Former Atlanta United midfielder Kevin Kratz returns for his second year as U-16 head coach. The German recorded 48 appearances for the club between 2017 and 2019. The U-16 MLS NEXT season begins on Sept. 10.
Steve Covino, an original member of the Academy staff since 2016 will coach Atlanta’s U-17s. The U-17 MLS NEXT seasons begins on Sept. 11.
Jose Silva returns to coach the U-19s for the second year running. Silva previously coached for two years as an assistant with Orlando City B.
The Academy is also pleased to announce its following support staff:
- Head of Goalkeeping – Lewis Sharpe
- Academy Fitness Coach – Karlie Paschall
- Academy Medical – Greg Gandy
- Academy Medical – Jeff PaulÂ
- Academy Scout – Will Clayton
- Video Analyst – Richard Wolff
- Academy Manager – Michael Lynch
- Academy Foundation Phase Director – Dean Atkins
- Administrator and Operations – Alejandro Perez
- Education and Player Care – Stewart Lathan
- Education and Player Care – Kathryn Gregurke
Thirteen players from the club’s Regional Development School will join the Academy this season, with 11 going to the U-12s and two to the U-13s.
