Atlanta United strengthen backline with Garrison Tubbs signing
- Tubbs came through Atlanta United's academy
- 21-year-old played for four years at Wake Forest University
- Atlanta continues to add to defensive unit
Atlanta United have made steps to improve their defense with the signing of homegrown defender Garrison Tubbs on a deal through the 2024 MLS season with options through 2027.
Tubbs joins the Five Stripes after spending the last four years with Wake Forest University, where he earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-American honors in his senior 2023 campaign. Prior to his time in the ACC, Tubbs came through the ranks in Atlanta's academy.
During his collegiate career, the 21-year-old made 68 appearances for the Demon Deacons, scoring three goals and adding five assists as a center-back.
"Garrison has earned this Homegrown contract with his play on the field over the past several seasons," Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said.
"He joined our Academy at the Under-17 level and steadily progressed through our ranks, earning playing time with Atlanta United 2 before going to college. He then joined a great program at Wake Forest and has continued to improve year over year. We always talk about the different pathways to earning a professional contract and every player has to find the path that works for them. Garrison excelled at Wake Forest for four seasons and has earned this opportunity."
The Five Stripes struggled on the defensive end of the field during the 2023 regular season as well as the postseason, but they will hope change is on the horizon after some of their recent moves in the early stages of the offseason. Atlanta inconsistent defense that conceded 53 goals (sixth-most in MLS) was overshadowed by the team's outstanding attack that scored the second-most goals during the regular season with 67.
Tubbs isn't the only defensive player Atlanta has signed thus far in the offseason, as the 2018 MLS Cup champions added free-agent goalkeeper Josh Cohen earlier in the week on a free transfer from Israeli Premier League Side Maccabi Haifa.
With Miles Robinson out of contract, it seems like Tubbs could be a direct replacement should the USMNT figure officially depart Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the coming weeks. Atlanta's fans have plenty to be excited about with the leadership and astute defending Tubbs possesses along with the addition of Cohen between the sticks.