Lawrenceville’s Liam Butts Comes Home to the Five Stripes

From GSA to the Atlanta United Academy, through Penn State and MLS NEXT Pro, Butts’ journey comes full circle back in Georgia.

When the call came, Liam Butts admits it felt “a bit confusing at first.” The 25-year-old had built his professional footing in New England and was coming off a breakout MLS NEXT Pro season. But this opportunity was different. It meant coming home.

Liam Butts spoke to Madison Crews & me before the 2's trip to New England for the season opener.

“Growing up here and training here, I know what the club has to offer and some of the best facilities around the nation,” Butts said. “For me, it was a very nice feeling… I was very excited and ready to take that opportunity”.

Now officially back with Atlanta United 2, the Lawrenceville native’s journey has come full circle.

From GSA to the Academy

Before he ever wore the Five Stripes in the academy, Butts’ foundation was built at GSA. He describes those years as “integral” to where he is today. The combination of high-level training and a family-centered culture shaped him both as a player and as a person.

“The relationships I made kind of shaped me as a human as well as me as a player,” he said.

That base prepared him for the next step: joining the Atlanta United Academy. There, he worked under coaches who remain part of the club today, including Rodrigo Rios and Steve Covino. Rios, now with the first team staff, left a particular mark.

“He instilled some principles that I still, to this day, still use,” Butts said of his former academy coach.

Having those familiar figures still in the building has eased the transition.

“It felt more comfortable. It’s a bit faster,” Butts said of returning to an environment where relationships already exist.

A Collegiate Proving Ground

After his academy tenure, Butts chose the college route, committing to Penn State. The decision was intentional. He wanted both a degree and a competitive environment that mirrored the professional level.

“I wanted to get a degree, but also play somewhere where I thought I was gonna improve,” he said, pointing to the strength of the Big Ten and the professional background of the coaching staff.

Across 72 matches from 2019 to 2024, including 53 starts, Butts scored 25 goals and added eight assists for the Nittany Lions. He scored nine goals as a freshman, tying for the team lead, earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and Big Ten All-Freshman Team recognition, and later was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team. Off the field, he collected Academic All-Big Ten honors in each of his final four seasons.

The experience matured him tactically and mentally. It also positioned him for the professional jump.

Breakout in MLS NEXT Pro

Butts earned his opportunity with New England Revolution II through a trial. His first professional season was disrupted by injuries. The following year, healthy and confident, he delivered.

In 2025, he scored 13 goals in 24 matches, tied for sixth in MLS NEXT Pro during the regular season. He added three assists, totaling 16 goal contributions in just over 1,500 minutes. Late in the 2024 campaign, he had already flashed his potential, scoring five goals in five starts.

“I came into the season healthy, was confident,” Butts said. “I think those are all great factors for me to have the year I had last year”.

It was a season that validated his developmental path and demonstrated growth in his movement, finishing, and understanding of the pro game.

Bridging Two Worlds

In conversations with head coach Jose Silva and director Javier Pérez, Butts heard a clear vision. The staff understands his skill set and sees him as part of a plan that includes competing now while pushing toward first-team progression.

What makes Butts particularly valuable is his perspective. He understands the academy culture at Atlanta United, but he returns with professional experience and a proven scoring résumé.

“There’s no older group or younger group. It’s like the whole team’s cohesive,” he said of the current roster dynamic. Younger players are pushing for spots. More experienced pros are mentoring. The competitive environment in training is sharp.

Off the field, that chemistry has developed quickly.

“It felt natural when you’re talking to people,” Butts said, emphasizing the character of the group.

Defining Identity

When asked what identity means for this Atlanta United 2 side, Butts distilled it simply.

“We wanna be resilient, but also smart,” he said.

Quality will create chances. That part he believes in. The difference will be how the team responds when adversity strikes. The best sides solve problems in real time. They trust one another. They show it consistently.

For a player who represents Guyana internationally and has earned two senior caps, responsibility is not new. Leadership, accountability, and productivity are expected.

The season opens on the road in New England, a return to familiar ground.

“It’s always fun,” Butts said of facing his former club, before emphasizing the bigger picture: “We have goals with the team, and I have goals personally, and those have to be accomplished”.

The reunion is complete. The foundation was laid at GSA, sharpened in the Atlanta United Academy, refined in college, and validated in MLS NEXT Pro.

Now, Liam Butts is back where it started, prepared to build the next chapter.

Atlanta United 2 opens the 2026 season Sunday night in New England, pregame coverage starts at 7:30 p.m. on the SDH Network with Madison Crews.