Atlanta United has announced the signing of Matt Edwards and MatÃas Gallardo to short-term agreements for their upcoming match against D.C. United. According to the 2024 MLS Roster Rules and Regulations, clubs are allowed to sign players aged 25 or younger from their affiliate MLS NEXT Pro teams to a maximum of four short-term agreements per season, each lasting up to four days, totaling no more than 16 days.
Edwards, a 21-year-old defender who joined Atlanta United 2 on December 22, 2023, after three seasons at the University of North Carolina, has completed his fourth and final short-term agreement for this season. He made his Atlanta United debut during the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 match against Charlotte Independence, contributing an assist in a 3-0 victory. Edwards, also the captain of ATL UTD 2, has started in nine matches in the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro campaign, playing a key role in the team’s defense, which has secured three clean sheets this season.
Gallardo, originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, signed his first short-term agreement with Atlanta United after joining Atlanta United 2 on July 27, 2023. The midfielder has appeared in 11 matches this season, starting in nine, and provided an assist in a match against Carolina Core FC on May 8. Gallardo’s journey includes progressing through the Academy ranks at River Plate in the Argentine Primera División, where he made his First Team debut as a substitute in a friendly against Universidad de Chile on March 25, 2023.
