3 new players for the 2s
Just two days removed from the MLS SuperDraft, Atlanta United 2 announced the signings of Goalkeeper John Berner and midfielders Noble Okello and Jacob Williams as free agents for the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season.
Before these signings, the Atlanta United 2 was looking thin. With Nic Firmino, Adyn Torres and Luke Brennan set for promotion to the first team this winter and the rumored departure of Jonatan Villal to Atlético de San Luis, the trio of Alan Carleton, Karim Tmimi, and Mathias Gallardo was all that was left of the 2023 roster.
While the 2024 SuperDraft pick Javier Armas is likely to join the club in preseason camp next month and Jayden Hibbert has expressed his interest in joining the team as soon as possible, we are still unsure whether Hibbert and 3rd-Round pick Casper Mols will be part of 2024’s team.
To add stability and veteran leadership to what will likely be a very young group of academy players and 2s prospects, Atlanta United 2 signed John Berner, 32, from Huntsville City FC where he served as a player and assistant coach in 2023. The St Louis native and former 2014 Colorado Rapids SuperDraft pick made eight starts last season and finished with 28 total saves. Berner is under contract through the 2024 MLSNP season. He has extensive experience in the USL Championship playing for the Charlotte Independence, Memphis 901 FC, and Phoenix Rising.
Noble Okello, 23, is a former Canadian international midfielder from the Toronto FC academy. He first appeared professionally for TCF II in 2017 and earned a Homegrown Player contract in 2019 to debut at the COVID-season MLS is Back Tournament. He last played for the New England Revolution II where he scored a goal in 12 appearances. One of the most noticeable things about Okello is his incredible size for a midfielder, standing at 6-foot 5 inches. He would immediately become the tallest player at any level at the club.
Jacob Williams, 24, is a former standout player for Navy where he earned 2021 Patriot League Player of the Year honors and was named to the First Team All-Patriot League in three of his four seasons. Last season, Williams started 15 of his 24 matches for Charlotte FC’s MLS NEXT PRO affiliate Crown Legacy FC scoring three goals and adding two assists. Two of his goals came in a brace against TFC II in the season finale. Williams is under contract through the 2024 MLSNP season with a club option for 2025.
Atlanta United 2 Roster (as of Dec. 21, 2023)
Goalkeeper (1): John Berner
Midfielders (8): Luke Brennan, Alan Carleton, Matías Gallardo, Nick Firmino*, Noble Okello, Adyn Torres*, Jonantan Villal, Jacob Williams
Forwards (1): Karim Tmimi
* — Set to be promoted to Atlanta United’s first team on January 1, 2024.