Building the Future: How Atlanta United’s RDS Program Shapes Georgia’s Next Generation of Soccer Talent

Atlanta has become the epicenter of soccer in the United States, and the state of Georgia has always produced an incredible depth of talent. While Atlanta United is widely recognized for its successful Academy program, another crucial piece of the development pathway comes even earlier — the Regional Development School, or RDS.

The RDS program is a tryout-based initiative designed for advanced players ages 7–14, providing high-level training and technical instruction from Atlanta United’s professionally licensed coaches. The program challenges young athletes to take ownership of their growth, focusing on skill development and fostering a competitive environment that mirrors the club’s Academy standards.

But beyond technical training, RDS serves a larger purpose: it’s where the next generation of Georgia’s footballers begins to take shape.

Leigh Jakes, Atlanta United’s Director of Youth Development, spoke at the recent GA 100 event in McDonough about the importance of RDS for both player development and community engagement.

"My team provides all the on field instruction because we want to make sure that any instruction the kids are getting is equitable to anything that the kids are getting in the pay to play model," said Jakes. "It's a great opportunity to create future fans. It's a great opportunity for us to help kids discover their love of the game and also give kids an opportunity to really develop their skills, and potentially get identified."

Jakes began with Atlanta United as a part-time coach during the club’s first youth summer camps, later becoming Camps and Clinics Manager before taking on her current role in youth development. Over the years, she’s watched countless players fall in love with the sport and grow within the club’s system.

"It's just been amazing to see these kids who have either been casual athletes or casual fans of the game to become avid lovers of the game and avid lovers of Atlanta United," said Jakes. "It's been really cool to see kids who I worked with when they were five make it all the way through to the, the Futures program, which is our academy identification tool. So, to see their journey alongside mine, to see our coaches' journey alongside mine has been incredibly rewarding."

One of those journeys belongs to Adyn Torres, who stands out as the only Atlanta United player to progress from RDS to the Academy, then to Atlanta United 2, and finally to the First Team — signing a homegrown contract and becoming the all-time appearance leader for ATL UTD 2.

"For me, going to RDS, it was just like fun. I remember I had a coach, she used to just tell us like, let's just have fun. I remember playing 5v5 and just having fun on a Thursday night down the street at Franklin," said Torres in an exclusive interview with SDH. "For me it was just expressing myself with kids I didn't really play with too, like it was kind of kids from all around Georgia kind of just going there to play. So I was just having fun and I remember just like trying to score as many goals as I can and just having fun."

Torres said RDS not only gave him a place to play but also helped him understand different playing styles and adapt his game.

"I was at a young age, so I wasn't thinking like that. I was just going out and just playing. Now looking back at it, it kind of grew me, and when I went back to my team environment, I knew players a little bit better. Like some players were a little different, but they were similar to the players I was playing with RDS. It extended the mind a little bit just to get used to some other different styles of play."

From being identified in RDS, Torres then found his way to the Academy, which was a crazy process, but an unforgettable one for the 17-year-old.

"I never thought going to RDS was gonna bring that chance. I kind of had a feeling, but the whole point of going there was kind of to get a view from Atlanta and a staff member would just tell me what they thought. If I was good enough or whatever. It wasn't much of a big process like, oh, I'm gonna do this and I'll for sure be into the academy," said Torres. "There weren't many players who played in RDS who were going through RDS to the academy. So for me, I was just trying to do what I had to do, have fun, and then if that came, then it came."

Eventually, that mindset and growth paid off.

"I just remember getting that paper that was just like, we invited you to the academy, and I was just happy after that. Then I was like, all right, the work starts now, and then same thing when the contract came, you know, the work starts now. It was a surreal moment to be able to see all the work my parents have sacrificed for me, but also myself all the time and sacrifices I made go into that, so it was really nice."

For Jakes, Torres’ story represents what the RDS pathway is all about.

Atlanta United goalkeeper Josh Cohen speaks to participants at a recent Atlanta United camp.

"For a player like Adyn to progress through the ranks there, to progress with his club team and to make it all the way to the first team is just, I hope, a little highlight of more things to come for the kids coming through the program," said Jakes when asked about Torres. "It gives those kids hope to know that, you know, there's a chance. There's a pipeline. There's an opportunity to not just enjoy the game and to not just fall more in love with the club, but a real opportunity at a pro contract."

The RDS program continues to expand its reach, including co-ed sessions and girls-specific locations. Jakes has also been instrumental in building opportunities for female athletes and coaches within Atlanta United’s youth ecosystem.

"A lot of people don't know that within RDS it's co-ed and we also have girls specific locations. To see some of those players really advance and become more confident, become captains in their club environment, and then get selected to represent their respective youth national team or get identified talent ID centers for US soccer has been pretty incredible," said Jakes.

Atlanta United isn't only developing the next generation of players, but also helping with the development of female athletes and the next generation of female coaches through these youth development camps.

"It's been incredible. You see how many high level female players are from Georgia, either professionally, in college or abroad. It's been just so exciting to see and to see how we are really leaning into, it's not just something that's feel good, but this is a true business model. This is a true profession," said Jakes. "It's really been incredible to also see the number of female coaches that are exploding as well. With Atlanta United, we've created a female coaching collective, so it's been a really cool opportunity for us to create this community where people are able to network and people are able to get coach education."

From its early training sessions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to its statewide camps, Atlanta United’s RDS program continues to nurture young talent, promote inclusivity, and deepen the state’s soccer culture.

Atlanta United isn’t just developing the next generation of players — it’s building a foundation for lifelong fans, future professionals, and leaders of the game across Georgia and beyond.