Atlanta United Forfeits Playoff Semifinal, May Be Kicked Out of UPSL
Kalonji Pro-Profile will advance to the UPSL Georgia Conference Final
A source has informed the Southeast Soccer Report that Atlanta United chose to voluntarily forfeit their UPSL Georgia Conference semi-final game against Kalonji Pro-Profile in order to attend MLS NEXT Fest, a youth player showcase in Arizona. The league made efforts to accommodate United’s Academy, but they refused any compromise offered to play the game.
The decision by Atlanta is a breach of the UPSL league rules agreement signed by all participating teams before the season, according to our source, and could likely see them kicked out of the league. That decision will be up to league executives.
Kalonji Pro-Profile, the only semi-professional team from Georgia to qualify for the 2026 U.S. Open Cup, will automatically advance to the UPSL Georgia Conference Final against the winner of Georgia Revolution and Pachuca Georgia. Notably, Kalonji are also attending the MLS NEXT Fest in Arizona, but unlike Atlanta, the club was organized to honor the semi-final match.
The game between the Revolution and Pachuca will be played this Saturday at 7:00pm in McDonough. A date and time for the Conference Final is yet to be determined. The winner will advance to the Round of 32 in UPSL’s National Playoff format, facing the playoff victor from the KY-TN Conference.