CHARLOTTE — Caleb Wiley hadn’t yet quite processed his 2-goal, 1-assist performance when speaking to media after Atlanta United’s 3-0 win at Charlotte FC on Saturday afternoon.
“It’s still sinking in a little bit. I’m sure it will take a few hours to fully get into me,” the 18-year-old said.
Atlanta fans will hope that it’s a sign of the next step in the development of Wiley, who in January 2022 signed a Homegrown Player contract and ultimately made 26 appearances (18 starts) with the 1st team. He was placed in Gonzalo Pineda’s starting XI once more for Atlanta’s first away match in 2023, presumably as a temporary option for Derrick Etienne as the offseason free agency signing continues to recover from injury.