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Andrew Carleton is Atlanta United's first ever Homegrown Player. He is very young for a professional player, already on an MLS contract at only 16 years old. Carleton is also a very exciting American Youth National Team player. Atlanta United is very lucky to have a talent such as his on their team before they even kick a ball.
This year, Andrew Carleton is playing in the USL with the Charleston Battery. He made his professional debut as a substitute on September 7th at the age of 16 years and 77 days old, before making his first ever start at on September 10th at the age of 16 years and 80 days old. Born on June 22nd, 2000 and he's already starting professional soccer games. That's very impressive.
Atlanta United will tell you he is the youngest American to ever start a game in the USL. So will Wikipedia.
#ATLUTD Homegrown, @andrewcarleton7, Becomes Youngest American Player to Start @USL Match
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) September 13, 2016
https://t.co/sUuZnRND9T pic.twitter.com/kVpMzzcpQF
There is only one problem with that. It's false. The New York Red Bulls' Chris Gloster, a teammate of Carleton's on the Youth National Team, is the youngest American to start in USL. Born on July 28th, 2000, Chris Gloster started for New York Red Bulls II against Orlando City on August 12th. He was 16 years and 16 days old when he earned his first start for NYRBII. An academy player on an amateur contract with the team, Gloster went 87 minutes in defense as NYRBII went on to win 5-1 on the day.
16 years and 16 days old versus 16 years and 80 days old. Hmmm, I'm not a rocket scientist, but my calculations tell me that Chris Gloster is younger.
Why do you have to lie like that Atlanta? Did you not think we'd check? Cause we will check; in fact, we did!
Congratulations on being the youngest ever American to start in a USL game, Chris. You did great. We look forward to many more performances like that in a Red Bulls uniform. And don't worry, we've got your back.