Atlanta United Announces 2024 Special Olympics Unified Team, Presented by Gallagher

March 28, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release

ATLANTA – Atlanta United announced on Wednesday its 2024 Special Olympics Unified Team, presented by Gallagher. Held at the Piedmont Room in Piedmont Park, the Unified Team celebrated the start of its eighth season at its annual Signing Day event where players signed their contracts and were joined by Atlanta United players and Unified ambassadors Brad Guzan and Tyler Wolff. Gallagher continues for its fourth season as the presenting sponsor of Atlanta United’s Unified Team.

Launched in 2017, Atlanta United’s Unified Team is part of MLS WORKS’ collaboration with Special Olympics North America (SONA) to form the Special Olympics Unified Sports Soccer Exchange Program. The program unites individuals with and without intellectual disabilities as members of one team to promote an environment of social inclusion through soccer.

Atlanta United Unified has three matches scheduled this season. The team begins its season against Nashville SC Unified on May 18 at Geodis Park in Tennessee. It will then travel to California to take on LA Galaxy Unified on Aug. 24 at Dignity Health Sports Park. The season will conclude with Atlanta’s home match against Nashville SC on Sept. 14 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. All matches are scheduled in conjunction with the MLS matches and will be held after the conclusion of each match.

The Atlanta United Unified Team trains weekly at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground where training sessions are regularly attended by Atlanta United First and Second Team players. Guzan enters his seventh year as an ambassador, Derrick Etienne Jr. returns for his second season and this marks Tyler Wolff and Stian Gregersen’s first season.

Unified teams play 11 vs. 11 matches to align with SONA’s vision to have Unified teams play soccer’s true format. Atlanta’s Unified team includes players from two counties in Georgia, comprised of players from Cobb County Special Olympics and North Fulton Unified in Fulton County. The team features 10 athletes and 11 partners ranging from 16 – 25 years old.

2024 Atlanta United Unified Roster:

Athletes Position

Alex Eberle Forward

Alex Evans Defender

Xavier Hairston Forward

Dee Harden Goalkeeper

Anthony Hernandez Midfielder

Alex Hidi Forward

Kelly Robinson Defender

Steven Russell Forward

Liam Stuart Forward

Steffen Walker Forward

Partners Position

Alex Bartlett Midfielder

Savion Brown Forward

Grace Chaplin Defender

Ike Eiswirth Midfielder

Camila Gomez…