Atlanta United announced today that goalkeeper Paul Christensen has signed a Short-Term Agreement in a case of Extreme Hardship for the club’s upcoming match against Chicago Fire (8:30 p.m. EST, FOX Sports Southeast). Christensen, who was selected by Atlanta in the fourth round of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, signed with Atlanta United 2 on Feb. 18.
Major League Soccer allows teams to sign players from their USL affiliate to Short-Term Agreements (up to four-day contracts) specifically for MLS League Season games in cases of Extreme Hardship. An Extreme Hardship call-up is applied when a team has less than two goalkeepers available or less than four available outfield substitutes. The Extreme Hardship condition does not apply for Short-Term Agreements for CONCACAF Champions League, Canadian Championship, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and exhibition matches. An MLS club may sign a player to a maximum of four short-term agreements each season (maximum of 16 days). This is the first short-term agreement for Christensen and the first for Atlanta United in 2018. Last season, the club signed Lagos Kunga to a short-term agreement for a Round of 16 match in the U.S. Open Cup.
Christensen, 22, was selected by Atlanta United with the No. 70 pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. After signing with ATL UTD 2 in February, Christensen has made two starts in USL competitions, compiling a 1.50 goals against average and a 0-1-1 record. He made his professional debut against Charlotte Independence on March 31. In college, Christensen started all 72 games of his four-year career at University of Portland and recorded 20 clean sheets.
PLAYER PROFILE
Name: Paul Christensen
Position: Goalkeeper
Birthdate: April 15, 1996 (age: 22)
Birthplace: Woodinville, Washington
Height: 6-1
Citizenship: USA
Current Club: Atlanta United 2
Transaction: Signed a Short-Term Agreement in a case of Extreme Hardship with Atlanta United on May 4, 2018.
