Wynne can play as a right-back or as a slightly shorter right centerback.
With the help of Atlanta United’s new Sports Science crew, Wynne could have the support he needs to be a Day-1 impact player for the 2s with a chance to earn a promotion to the first team.
Cheeky Ronan Wynne sighting (far right) as pre season begins in ernest for Atlanta United at their Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta training facility ahead of the 2025 MLS season. 🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/unvxJ6uvfs
Preseason minutes for Wynne at Chattanooga this morning.
Good signs for him, but still a long way to go to get a deal. For reference, the other lad that was drafted by Atlanta didn't even make the matchday squad.
Scores his sides only goal in a 2-1 defeat late on. Looked good down that right hand side, and had some good positive play - Always looks to get the ball forward when practical, and he slid some good balls in behind to create some chances.
Result doesn't matter in the context of things, but all things considered, a decent performance from the Kiwi.
From memory he also scored a playoff goal for his Colorado college late last year, heading in a corner. Can only help his chances of getting a full contract with Atlanta.
Ronan Wynne with a goal in his first preseason game for Atlanta United, doing what he’s gotta do as he tries to earn an MLS contract 👊 #FlyingKiwispic.twitter.com/cxdwoMY1nG
Ronan Wynne gets the start for Atlanta and 45 minutes under his belt in a 2-0 pre-season win at USL Championship club Birmingham Legion earlier today.
Wholesale changes at H/T not really a surprise. But another solid shift from Wynne.
No sign of the other guy (Kulvik) who was drafted to Atlanta, so some promising signs that Ronan could have a serious foot in the door here in regards to picking up a deal.
Wynne comes on at LB for the final 20-25 minutes of Atlanta's 2-0 win over New England Revolution.
Didn't have too much to do, but was solid in what he had to do. Had a few clearances and fouls won, as well as a yellow picked up for stopping a potential break on a team mates turnover in midfield. As I said, he didn't have a whole lot of involvement, but his passing was assured and overall didn't look out of place. The commentator on the feed said he'd been seen in training filling in at CB as well. Versatility might serve him well if he can cover either RB/LB as well as CB at a pinch if required.
Started against FC Cincinatti in their pre season match earlier today. Finished 2-2.
No idea how he went given there was no stream of the match, and relatively scant detail of the match overall. Still waiting to see if he signs a deal, bit you'd think he could be pretty close to one of they keep giving him pre season minutes. The wait continues on that front.
One more pre season fixture for Atlanta against FC Dallas before their MLS campaign kicks off on the 23rd against Montreal.
Henderson says Ronan Wynne will be with Atlanta United 2, but door is open for him to train with first team based on performance
Says that club will re-evaluate plan with 2 open roster spots as players become healthy. Did explore options at outside back
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Looks like Ronan Wynne has impressed enough to stay on in Atlanta for the time being, and he will be turning out for Atlanta United 2 in the MLS Next Pro, with an eye to training with the first team based on performances.
He's done well there. The other guy that was drafted has been no where to be seen in the pre season.
Chris Henderson is the Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director at Atlanta United btw.
Chris Henderson, Atlanta United Chief Soccer Officer: “That’s what we want to do with draft picks and guys who can contribute into the group. I think [Wynne]’s going to get major minutes in with the second team, sign with the second team, and we’ll get a really good look at him.”
Confirmation that New Zealand U23 international Ronan Wynne has signed with Atlanta United 2 for the 2025 MLS Next Pro season, with a club option for 2026.
Confirmation that Ronan Wynne has signed a 1+1 with Atlanta United 2 for the upcoming MLS Next Pro season.
Atlanta United still have two senior roster spots open as well. From memory those have to be confirmed/filled by April 23rd. So still some scope for him to move up if he can make an impression.
Ronan Wynne: “Yeah, [I’m feeling] really good. It’s been a great experience so far playing between both teams, with players that I’ve never played with before and who have been in the professional ranks for awhile. Really looking forward to it and I can’t wait for what’s to come. The speed of play [is the toughest adjustment], easily. Especially with the first team, it’s crazy how quick the decisions are made... I was saying to one of the assistant coaches, training with them for six weeks and now coming down and playing in the second team games I feel like it’s prepared me so well. I’m already into the game and can play at this speed because those guys playing at MLS are a different level.”
This week saw the beginning of the American lower leagues and those things always have a bunch of kiwis involved. One of those is Ronan Wynne who, as expected after being an MLS draft pick, went straight into the Atlanta United 2 team and did ninety minutes at right-back. AU2 lost 1-0 to the New York Red Bulls reserves but Wynne did impress with his workrate and ruggedness. He won a bunch of challenges, whipped in some good crosses, carried the ball confidently, passed the ball accurately. Even flexed some long throw ability.
There was apparently some worry that he might not get his visa in time for this match but clearly that wasn’t an issue in the end. Annoying result but based on what he showed here, RW should be one of the better players in this team (Atlanta II) which’ll bode well for an occasional MLS call-up along the way.
Ronan Wynne: “Yeah, [I’m feeling] really good. It’s been a great experience so far playing between both teams, with players that I’ve never played with before and who have been in the professional ranks for awhile. Really looking forward to it and I can’t wait for what’s to come. The speed of play [is the toughest adjustment], easily. Especially with the first team, it’s crazy how quick the decisions are made... I was saying to one of the assistant coaches, training with them for six weeks and now coming down and playing in the second team games I feel like it’s prepared me so well. I’m already into the game and can play at this speed because those guys playing at MLS are a different level.”
This week saw the beginning of the American lower leagues and those things always have a bunch of kiwis involved. One of those is Ronan Wynne who, as expected after being an MLS draft pick, went straight into the Atlanta United 2 team and did ninety minutes at right-back. AU2 lost 1-0 to the New York Red Bulls reserves but Wynne did impress with his workrate and ruggedness. He won a bunch of challenges, whipped in some good crosses, carried the ball confidently, passed the ball accurately. Even flexed some long throw ability.
There was apparently some worry that he might not get his visa in time for this match but clearly that wasn’t an issue in the end. Annoying result but based on what he showed here, RW should be one of the better players in this team (Atlanta II) which’ll bode well for an occasional MLS call-up along the way.
Please let his career go from strength to strength, a young MLS level RB would be exactly what the national team needs.
Ronan Wynne: “Yeah, [I’m feeling] really good. It’s been a great experience so far playing between both teams, with players that I’ve never played with before and who have been in the professional ranks for awhile. Really looking forward to it and I can’t wait for what’s to come. The speed of play [is the toughest adjustment], easily. Especially with the first team, it’s crazy how quick the decisions are made... I was saying to one of the assistant coaches, training with them for six weeks and now coming down and playing in the second team games I feel like it’s prepared me so well. I’m already into the game and can play at this speed because those guys playing at MLS are a different level.”
This week saw the beginning of the American lower leagues and those things always have a bunch of kiwis involved. One of those is Ronan Wynne who, as expected after being an MLS draft pick, went straight into the Atlanta United 2 team and did ninety minutes at right-back. AU2 lost 1-0 to the New York Red Bulls reserves but Wynne did impress with his workrate and ruggedness. He won a bunch of challenges, whipped in some good crosses, carried the ball confidently, passed the ball accurately. Even flexed some long throw ability.
There was apparently some worry that he might not get his visa in time for this match but clearly that wasn’t an issue in the end. Annoying result but based on what he showed here, RW should be one of the better players in this team (Atlanta II) which’ll bode well for an occasional MLS call-up along the way.
Please let his career go from strength to strength, a young MLS level RB would be exactly what the national team needs.
Small sample size of course, but he was one of Atlanta's best on the weekend. So it's probably fair to say that six weeks of pre-season with the first team seems to have sharpened him up quite well.
The first team has had several injuries in particular at that RB role as well, with the very experienced Brooks Lennon still on the comeback trail and Ronald Hernandez who operates at both LB & RB picking up a hamstring injury after the first week of the season. Matthew Edwards is the only first teamer, and out-and-out RB who's fit at the moment for Atlanta, and even then he's only played a handful of MLSNP matches + a couple of MLS appearances as well.
Wynne is not a million miles off. The fact he trained across the backline during the pre-season shows he's got that versatility that everyone is after to fit in wherever he gets thrown should the chance arise.
Wynne trained with the first team this week as Atlanta gear up to travel to Cincinnati.
Missed out on match day selection for the first team, with three players from the Atlanta 2's called up to short term contracts to travel to Cincinnati - Nykolas Sessock, Cooper Sanchez and Rodrigo Neri.
Sessock had played at RB for the 2's in their last outing against Orlando, whereas a week prior Wynne was the RB.
Said it before, but he's not really too far removed from hopefully getting called up for the first team. 🤞
Contract option for 2026 declined by Atlanta United 2 for Ronan Wynne.
Drops in to free agency, but could potentially look to stay in the US via the USL Championship route. He featured in every game for the two's in the 2025 MLS Next Pro season.
Big thanks to these guys for their time with the 2s! 🫶#ATLUTD2 today announced its end of season roster moves following the conclusion of the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season 📝