George
Bello

National Team: A dynamic left back, will help lock down the defense and contribute to the attack for the USA in Brazil … After a long layoff due to injury, made his first appearance with the U-17 MNT this year at September’s 4 Nations Tournament in the Netherlands, helping the USA to a last-minute win against Mexico … Netted the tournament-winning goal for the U-17 MNT vs. Russia on a free kick at October 2018’s U17 International Youth Tournament in England …  Represented the USA at the 2018 Sportchain Cup in Benicassim, Spain, helping the U-17s to the tournament title … Played in all three matches for the U.S. at the 2017 Nike International Friendlies … Started all five games for the U-15 Boys’ National Team at the 2017 Concacaf U-15 Boys’ Championship as the USA finished second … Helped the U-15 BNT to the prestigious 2017 Torneo delle Nazioni title in Gradisca, Italy, starting four of five games and scoring in the opener vs. Slovenia … Also appeared in training camp with the previous U-17 MNT cycle in 2017, as well as the U-16 and U-18 MNTs … Played with the U-14 BNT in 2014.

Professional: Signed with Atlanta United FC as a Homegrown Player on June 17, 2017 … Spent most of this year with Atlanta United 2, making 12 appearances and logging 888 minutes … Started Atlanta’s Concacaf Champions League opener at Herediano on Feb. 22, 2019 … Scored his first professional goal for Atlanta United on Oct. 6, 2018  in front of 45,000 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to become the sixth-youngest goal scorer in league history … Made his MLS debut for Atlanta on Sept. 2, 2018 vs. D.C. United … Made his pro debut with Atlanta United 2 on March 31, 2018 vs. Charlotte.

Youth: Came up through the Atlanta United FC youth system in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, joining the MLS outfit in 2016 … Won the 2016-17 Development Academy championship with Atlanta United U-15/16 … Named East Conference U-15/16 Best Player of the Year that same year … Also named to the East Conference U-15/16 Best XI … Prior to joining Atlanta, played with Alpharetta Ambush from U-14 through U-15 and Southern Soccer Academy from U-12 through U-13 … Kicked off his youth club career with West Georgia Football Club from U-10 through U-11 … Played recreationally with Douglas County Soccer Association … Started playing soccer at age five.

Personal: Full name is George Oluwaseun Bello … Named after his grandfather … Nicknamed Georgie … Also ran track and field growing up, winning a 2016 Georgia team state championship … Dad also played soccer, mom competed in track … Loves playing FIFA, Fortnite and NBA 2K … Enjoys spending time with friends, watching TV and listening to music … Describes himself on the field as “athletic, hard-working, technical” … Describes himself off the field as “funny, laid-back, outgoing” … Favorite soccer player is Lionel Messi, lists Marcelo as his biggest athletic inspiration … Greatest soccer moment thus far was scoring his first MLS goal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium … Favorite movie is Deadpool, favorite TV show is Top Boy … Loves listening to Gunna … Favorite food is homemade spaghetti and meat sauce.