Atlanta United signed free agent defender Mikey Ambrose on December 22, 2020. The El Paso, Texas native returns to Atlanta after playing the 2020 season with Inter Miami CF.Â
Ambrose was a member of the Five Stripes from 2017-19, originally joining via the 2016 MLS Expansion Draft. He started 17 matches and made 27 appearances across all competitions in those three seasons, including two postseason appearances for the club. The versatile defender made seven MLS appearances in 2017 before making nine in Atlanta’s MLS Cup winning 2018 season. Ambrose has also appeared in the U.S. Open Cup and Concacaf Champions League for Atlanta.Â
In 2020, the defender made six MLS appearances with three starts and scored his first career MLS goal in the regular season finale for expansion side Inter Miami CF.Â
A three-year letterman at the University of Maryland, Ambrose represented the United States at the U-17, U-18 and U-20 levels. He made his professional debut in 2015 with the Austin Aztecs (USL) before making his MLS debut in 2016 with Orlando City. Â
2021 (Atlanta United): Made four appearances in MLS for Atlanta United including one start. He played 63 minutes in MLS. Atlanta United 2: Started all five matches he played for ATLUTD 2 in the USL Championship. Recorded one assist and created six chances in his five matches played. His passing accuracy was 89.6 percent in his matches in the USL Championship. Â
2020 (Inter Miami): Started three of his six appearances in MLS play. Scored first MLS goal in 2-1 win against FC Cincinnati on Nov. 8. MLS Cup Playoffs: Started and played 76 minutes in Miami’s first round loss to Nashville SC.
2019 (Atlanta United): Started six of his seven appearances across all competitions. Started three of his four appearances in MLS play. MLS Cup Playoffs: Started and played 84 minutes in Atlanta’s 2-0 win against Philadelphia Union in the Eastern Conference Semifinal on Oct. 24. Concacaf Champions League: Started and played 90 minutes in both of Atlanta’s quarterfinal matches against C.F. Monterrey.
2018 (Atlanta United): Started nine of his 10 appearances across all competitions. Started eight games at left back in MLS play and finished the season with nine appearances. He recorded his first career MLS assist on June 2 against Philadelphia Union. His second assist of the year came on June 30 in a 4-0 victory against Orlando. He played the full 90 minutes in five of his eight starts before a knee injury cut his season short in July. US Open Cup: Started as left back against Chicago Fire on June 20. Played the full 90 minutes and registered one shot on target. USL: Made six starts for ATL UTD 2 and scored two goals on two shots on goal this season.
2017 (Atlanta United): Started two games at left back and made seven appearances. MLS Cup Playoffs: Came on as a substitute and played 11 minutes against Columbus on Oct. 26. US Open Cup: Appeared as a substitute against Charleston on June 14 and Miami on June 28. Provided the game-winning assist on Brandon Vazquez’s goal against Charleston. USL: Made three starts for Atlanta’s USL-affiliate Charleston Battery.
2016 (Orlando City SC): After signing with Orlando City SC, Ambrose made his MLS debut against Colorado Rapids on August 21. He played in five matches and made four starts. Ambrose spent most of the season with Orlando’s USL team, Orlando City B, where he started 17 of his 18 appearances.
2015 (Austin Aztex): Ambrose signed with Austin ahead of the 2015 season and made his professional debut in the USL on March 29 against Colorado Springs Switchbacks. He went on to make 29 appearances with Austin, including three U.S. Open Cup matches where he scored his first professional goal in a 2-0 victory against San Antonio (May 28) in a third round match.
COLLEGE: A standout at the University of Maryland, Ambrose played for three years (2012-14) where tallied one goal and 15 assists in 71 appearances.
