West Chester native Aiden McFadden is enjoying a meteoric rise with Atlanta United 2, the reserve team of Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United, writes Otis Lyons for Brotherly Game.

Just six months ago, McFadden was preparing for the second half of an unusual NCAA soccer season with Notre Dame and planning for his extra season in South Bend.

But then something unexpected happened: The Henderson High School grad was drafted in an MLS SuperDraft he didn’t even register for.

“Usually you have to put your name in the draft so you can get picked,” said McFadden. “I didn’t. I was planning on coming back for a fifth year. (But) because of the way the season worked with COVID, you could just get picked.”

He was selected by Atlanta United as the 59th overall pick.

“It’s a great team, a great coaching staff, and fantastic players,” said McFadden.

He has been taking advantage of his opportunities on the pitch and is Atlanta United 2’s leading scorer in USL Championship, the de facto minor league to MLS. His five goals in nine games also put him as the eighth-highest scorer in the league.

Read more about Aiden McFadden at Brotherly Game.