Atlanta United have taken steps to strengthen their defense by signing homegrown defender Garrison Tubbs on a deal that runs through the 2024 MLS season, with options available through 2027. Tubbs joins the Five Stripes after a successful four-year spell at Wake Forest University, where he was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and earned First-Team All-American honors in his senior 2023 season. Prior to his time at Wake Forest, Tubbs came through the ranks in Atlanta’s academy.
During his college career, the 21-year-old played in 68 games for the Demon Deacons, scoring three goals and providing five assists as a center-back. “Garrison has earned this Homegrown contract with his play on the field over the past several seasons,” said Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra. “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.”
The Five Stripes had defensive issues during the 2023 regular season and the postseason, conceding 53 goals, the sixth-most in MLS. However, their prolific attack scored the second-most goals during the regular season with 67. Tubbs is not the only defensive addition Atlanta has made this offseason, with the 2018 MLS Cup champions also signing free-agent goalkeeper Josh Cohen from Israeli Premier League side Maccabi Haifa on a free transfer.
With Miles Robinson out of contract, Tubbs could be a direct replacement should the USMNT defender depart Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the coming weeks. Atlanta’s fans have plenty to be excited about with Tubbs’ leadership and defensive abilities, along with the addition of Cohen in goal.
