Atlanta United and MLS are increasingly utilizing data analytics to better understand the performance of their team. In a new weekly series called Staying on Track presented by MARTA, the club will be delving into specific stats that hold value to them. One such metric is offered by StatsBomb, which may not initially appear important but is a valuable tool for assessing the team’s performance behind closed doors.
In their latest 3-0 victory in the Round of 32 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, eight Homegrown players were featured for Atlanta United, including Noah Cobb, a defender from Chattanooga, Tennessee. While Cobb did not start the game, he came on early to replace another player due to an injury. Despite being part of the bench, Cobb is one of the most experienced youngsters in the squad, having already accumulated over 500 minutes in MLS during 2024.
Cobb’s playing time ranks among the top globally for young center backs under 19 years old. In a recent match against Minnesota United, he ranked 15th in the world for minutes played by a player his age group. Additionally, he ranks third in North and South America under similar criteria. The amount of playing time given to a player is often seen as an indicator of their success and potential for development. Given that Cobb has been selected as a starting center back in MLS at such a young age, this suggests not only his potential but also his ability to perform consistently and earn his coaches’ trust while facing high-quality opposition within MLS competition