Staying on Track: Why it was a good week for Atlanta United's goalkeeper pipeline 

Everyone knows the nickname for Brad Guzan is Atlanta’s big, bald wall. And the veteran goalkeeper proved to be a wall Saturday during the team’s road match against the leaders of the MLS Western Conference, L.A. Galaxy.

In the second half, the match was headed toward a scoreless deadlock. Then, Atlanta was called for a handball inside the box and the official awarded L.A. Galaxy a penalty kick. Forward Joseph Paintsil stepped up to the spot and struck a rising ball.

Paintsil went to his right. Guzan dove to his own left. The goalkeeper's guess was correct, and Guzan blocked the penalty kick, keeping the match scoreless for the moment. Atlanta’s big, bald wall made a big, bad stop.

Galaxy went on to win the match 2-0, but they didn’t score on that PK in the 67th minute. Using the goals saved above average measurement, which measures a goalkeeper’s ability to stop high probability shots, Guzan put on a good performance Saturday in Carson, California. His value in that category was 1.07. Essentially, Atlanta United gave up two goals, but thanks to Guzan, the team should’ve conceded three.

To add on, the veteran goalkeeper ended up with six saves on the night, a fairly strong showing considering how many dangerous weapons L.A. Galaxy can field on the pitch.

Guzan has long been the standard for goalkeeping at Atlanta United. The veteran has been with the club since its inaugural year in MLS. He’ll turn 40 years old on September 9, and he’s well aware that he has more playing days behind him than ahead of him. Perhaps there’s some confidence for Atlanta United fans with the future of the position given a recent performance from another goalkeeper in the club’s system: Jayden Hibbert of Atlanta United 2.

Across his past five games, Hibbert has been the best goalkeeper in MLS NEXT Pro. Most recently, he made a club-record 13 saves as Atlanta United 2 played Inter Miami CF II to a 1-1 draw on August 18, extending an unbeaten run for the team.

“I was ecstatic with the moment,” Hibbert said. “Being put in the history books is something I’m super proud of and something I can continue to build here in Atlanta.”

Along with seeing valuable minutes in MLS NEXT Pro, Hibbert also has some collegiate soccer experience. The Teaneck, New Jersey native spent two years at UConn and made 14 appearances for the Huskies during the 2023 season. During his college career, he made 41 total saves and was named BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week two times.

The 20-year-old was selected in the first round in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft as the No. 19 overall pick after his sophomore season.

Hibbert signed with Atlanta United 2 in January, and he will become a first team player with Atlanta United effective Jan. 1, 2025. The 6-foot-2 goalkeeper has a first team guarantee for next season, and he could very well be on the roster in 2025.

“It has been great to see Jayden’s progress this year," said Atlanta United 2 goalkeeper coach Lewish Sharpe. "He had an adjustment period in the first couple of months, which is completely normal. He's a confident young goalkeeper who brings the right attitude to training every day. He's very passionate about goalkeeping and is always wanting to learn from his mistakes.

Massive credit to the lads for creating a competitive training environment day-to-day. Each goalkeeper has brought something different to the group. John [Berner] is vastly experienced, Jayden is fresh out of college and starting his career, whilst young Jonathan Ransom is only 16 and has been a big addition to the group.”

The development Sharpe alluded to is a good indication of what’s coming through the pipeline for Atlanta United goalkeeping. Since its inception, the club has produced several successful Homegrown stories, local stars such as Caleb Wiley whose humility and hard work led him through the Atlanta United pathway to now where he has the chance to play in one of the world’s top-flight leagues. It’s a positive sign to soon see the same promise from the goalkeeping position.