Atlanta United's Young All-Stars Take the Stage in Charlotte

Atlanta United Academy players Seyi Fakiyesi and David Ilevbare spent Monday night among the brightest young prospects in North America.

The two 2010-born players represented Atlanta in the fifth MLS NEXT All-Star Game at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews, North Carolina, where the East All-Stars overwhelmed the West 6-1 to open MLS All-Star Week.

Fakiyesi and Ilevbare were among 44 players selected from across the MLS NEXT development platform. It was the fourth time in the event’s five editions that Atlanta United placed at least two players on the All-Star roster.

The match used separate lineups in each half, giving all 44 players an opportunity to play.

The East’s first group took control in the 6th minute and didn’t look back. D.C. United forward Oscar Avilez opened the scoring before Columbus Crew striker Jamil Danjaji doubled the lead two minutes later. Nashville SC winger Liam Stribling added another in the 12th minute, giving the East three goals in a seven-minute rush. Marcus Singleton II of Metropolitan Oval Academy made it 4-0 in the 30th minute. Avilez scored his second eight minutes later, sending the East into halftime with a five-goal advantage.

Atlanta’s two representatives arrived in Charlotte after helping the club complete a record-setting Academy season.

Oluwaseyitan “Seyi” Fakiyesi is a left-footed defender from Marietta. He primarily plays left back, where his speed allows him to cover space defensively and move forward to support the attack.

He helped Atlanta’s U-16 team reach the 2026 MLS NEXT Cup final and scored from a free kick in the championship match. His performances during the tournament earned him a place on the Homegrown Division Best XI. Fakiyesi has also represented the United States at the U-16 level and already begun playing professionally with Atlanta United 2. He started at left back against New England Revolution II on March 1, becoming the youngest player to start a match for ATLUTD2.

Ilevbare plays through the center of midfield, giving Atlanta a defensive presence and an outlet for moving possession out of deeper areas. He started every match during Atlanta’s run to the MLS NEXT Cup final and has joined Fakiyesi with the United States U-16 national team. Ilevbare made his ATLUTD2 debut in the same March 1st match, entering during the second half and becoming the fourth-youngest player to appear for the club.

Both players remained part of Atlanta’s U-16 team while beginning to earn professional minutes with ATLUTD2.

Fakiyesi and Ilevbare entered with the East already leading 5-0, as both teams replaced their entire lineups for the second half.

Playing at left back, Fakiyesi helped stop a West attack, moved the ball from the left side and pushed forward when the East regained possession.

Analyst Jalil Anibaba highlighted the qualities that have made Fakiyesi one of Atlanta’s emerging defensive prospects.

The two new lineups played a far more even 45 minutes, each scoring once after the East had built its five-goal advantage before halftime. Ilevbare was not as prominent in the match, but his selection followed a season in which he started every game of Atlanta’s run to the MLS NEXT Cup final.

Charlotte FC Academy forward Daniel Brown restored the East’s momentum in the 78th minute, driving a shot from outside the penalty area into the net in front of the hometown crowd. Real Salt Lake’s Easton Wilson answered four minutes later, breaking behind the East defense and finishing at the near post for the West’s only goal. Oscar Avilez finished with two goals and an assist to earn Most Valuable Player honors, becoming the first D.C. United player to win the award. The East’s 6-1 victory was its fifth consecutive win in the MLS NEXT All-Star Game.

The East’s 6-1 victory gave Fakiyesi and Ilevbare a winning finish to their MLS NEXT All-Star appearance. Their selections added another distinction to a record-setting season for Atlanta’s Academy. Both players had helped the U-16s reach the MLS NEXT Cup final, represented the United States at the youth level and begun earning professional minutes with ATLUTD2.

Atlanta United Director of Methodology Javier Pérez pointed to both players as products of the club’s development system.