Atlanta United has drafted goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert (UConn), midfielder Javier Armas (Oregon State), and goalkeeper Casper Mols (Univ. of Kentucky). Atlanta United also received $50,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) from Chicago Fire in exchange for two of its selections (No. 33 and No. 72). Miguel Berry’s player rights were traded to LA Galaxy for their 33rd pick.
Hibbert, 19, played and started in all 14 games for the Huskies in 2023. The sophomore made 41 saves and picked up three clean sheets. He collected a season-high five saves in three matches last season while earning BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week honors twice. Before joining UConn, Hibbert won a state and national title at St. Benedict’s Prep.
Atlanta selected Armas out of Oregon State University with pick No. 48. The La Coruna, Spain native played in 77 matches during his five-year career with the Beavers, finishing with six goals and 10 assists. He played and started in 20 matches in his final season as Oregon State advanced to the semi-final round of the College Cup for the first time in program history. Armas earned All-Pac-12 honor in each of his final two seasons, including First Team Pac-12 in 2023.
With its final pick of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, at No. 77, Atlanta selected another goalkeeper in Mols from the University of Kentucky. The sophomore from Denmark has started 34 of 36 matches he has played in his two years at Kentucky and recorded 91 saves and 14 clean sheets in his collegiate career. He had an outstanding freshman campaign earning NCAA D1 All-America First Team honors and Sun Belt Conference Goalkeeper of the Year accolades.
Under the new rules in the MLS SuperDraft, underclassmen can return to college while Atlanta retains their MLS rights for two years.
Berry, who is out of contract, would be eligible to be selected in the MLS Re-Entry Draft (Stage 2) if he’s not signed to an MLS team.