MLS Prospect Roundup: A Wiley goal

by Travis Clark

March 3, 2022

Each week during the MLS season, TDS will look at some of the notable performances from young players from the United States and Canada.

Atlanta United prospect Caleb Wiley is no stranger to professional soccer.

The 17-year-old left back featured heavily for Atlanta United 2 in both 2020 and 2021, making more than 30 appearances in USL before he signed his Homegrown deal earlier this year.

But playing as an amateur for a reserve team is quite different than playing in front of nearly 70,000 fans in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. That’s what Wiley did in Sunday’s 3-1 win against Sporting KC, entering as a substitute – and scoring a goal in the process.

Typically a left back, Wiley entered and played as a left midfielder for the bulk of his shift. Former Indiana star Andrew Gutman has the left back spot locked down, and Wiley entered to offer pace on the counter. He managed to seal the result with a stoppage time goal, icing the three points for Atlanta.

Wiley’s role this season is likely to feature mostly from a bench and get some time with Atlanta United 2. But more performances such as this one and a packed schedule will give Wiley more MLS chances.

Special mention should also go to “older” prospect George Campbell, who started in central defense and looks set to play a bigger role in MLS this year. Tyler Wolff also earned the start for United.