“From a young age, I figured out what I was good at” – school and soccer – “and I wanted to figure out how I can I go to a place that will maximize both of my skillsets.”
For Atlanta United midfielder Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu, that place was Harvard University.
“Education is extremely important to me and my parents certainly presented that to me when I was a kid, but it’s not something that I just accepted from them, it’s something that I took on as my own.”
As the Massachusetts native pursued his passion for a deeper education, he also excelled on the soccer field for the Crimson. And professional scouts took notice, leaving him in a predicament following his final season in college: finish school or go pro? But Andrew was never worried about leaving learning behind.
“There’s more than one way to educate yourself in this world and school isn’t the only way. I figured if I did end up leaving school early, it wasn’t that I was going to stop learning, it was just going to be learning in a different way.”
Heading to Los Angeles for the 2017 MLS Combine, Andrew wasn’t sure what the future would hold. But when he was drafted by Atlanta United in the SuperDraft, an unanticipated opportunity presented itself. With permission from the club and working mostly remotely, he was allowed to finish his coursework and earn the Harvard degree he’d always yearned for.
“Carlos [Bocanegra] and Paul [McDonough] both as well as Tata and the coaching staff, I don’t think I can express in words how grateful and thankful and I am for giving me the opportunity that I’ve always wanted and worked for, which is playing professional soccer but also allowing me to finish my education. So I’m extremely grateful for that.”
The chance to realize both his childhood dreams was just the first of the unexpected blessings to follow in Atlanta.
“I don’t think I could have ever imagined that type of response, not only to an MLS team but to a new team. So to be able to be a part of that, I felt very fortunate.”
After over 55,000 fans attended the club’s inaugural match, Atlanta United went on to crack multiple all-time attendance records and captured the hearts of sports fans all around the Southeast.
“To see how the city and the state as a whole got behind our team, whether we were performing great or going through lulls, they always showed up, whether it was a Wednesday at seven o’clock right after work or if it was a Saturday midday, they were always there.”
“It’s a warm feeling, that’s for sure.”
At the end of the magical inaugural season, Andrew discovered he would be returning for another year at Atlanta United. But he’s not taking anything for granted, and is not looking past the task at hand.
“I don’t have an idea of where I’ll be at the end of this year, but I can tell you where I want to be tomorrow. And tomorrow I want to be in good shape, ready for preseason.”
“Day by day is very cliché so I hate saying that, but looking in a year, that’s a daunting task if you just lay it out in front of you. You have to understand that the way you accomplish that thing that’s at the end of the year is by doing what you can do today.”
Andrew will tell you that focus is everything. In college, Andrew and his teammates succeeded as a group by adding to the team’s “center” via motivation, encouragement, hard work, discipline, and integrity. For Andrew, his Atlanta United team is no different.
“My goal is to continue to do my work so that I can add to the center and push the team in a positive direction.”
Andrew is a person of many talents –– he also has a passion for music, and says he’s fascinated by the musical history of Atlanta –– but he says they’re all just ways to make sure he continues to grow.
“All my hobbies that I have, they’re exercises to prompt thought. There’s more than one way to learn in this world and not all the learning happens in the classroom.”
He may be finished with school for now, but Andrew is just beginning to tap into his potential.
© 2026 Atlanta United FC
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