Atlanta United signs defender Matt Edwards to Short-Term Agreement

Atlanta United today announced that it has signed Matt Edwards to a Short-Term Agreement for Saturday’s match at Toronto FC (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass, Star 94, La Mejor). 

Per 2024 MLS Roster Rules and Regulations, a club may sign a player, age 25 or younger during the league season, from its affiliate (MLS NEXT Pro) to a maximum of four Short-Term Agreements (up to four-day contracts) each season (maximum of 16 days). An individual player may be included on up to four MLS league season match rosters each season, however, that player may appear in no more than two MLS league season matches. An individual player may appear in any number of non-league games during the terms of his four Short-Term Agreements.

A club may roster up to four players on Short-Term Agreements per MLS league season match, so long as they are Homegrown Players or Players earning less than or equal to the MLS Senior Minimum Salary ($89,716) with the affiliate. This number will be reduced to one player per MLS league season match after Roster Freeze (inclusive of MLS Cup Playoffs). Additional players may also be signed to Short-Term Agreements for MLS league season games but only in cases of Extreme Hardship.

Edwards signed with Atlanta United 2 on Dec. 22, 2023 after playing the three seasons at the University of North Carolina. He joined the Atlanta United Academy in 2019 at the U-17 level and served as captain of the U-19 side. The versatile defender made his professional debut during the 2020 USL Championship season when he made eight appearances for ATL UTD 2.  With the Tar Heels, the Apex, North Carolina native played in 43 matches over three seasons. He played in 18 matches, including 16 starts, and recorded two assists in his final season in 2023, helping North Carolina make a run to the ACC Tournament Final and the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals.