Caleb Wiley

American soccer player

Caleb Wiley
Personal information
Full name Caleb Ryan Wiley[1]
Date of birth (2004-12-22) December 22, 2004 (age 19)[1]
Place of birth Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Strasbourg
(on loan from Chelsea)
Number 12
Youth career
2016–2022 Atlanta United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2021 Atlanta United 2 33 (0)
2022–2024 Atlanta United 77 (6)
2024– Chelsea 0 (0)
2024– → Strasbourg (loan) 0 (0)
International career‡
2020 United States U17 3 (0)
2021–2023 United States U20 10 (1)
2023– United States U23 8 (0)
2023– United States 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:25, 22 July 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:09, August 2, 2024 (UTC)

Caleb Ryan Wiley (born December 22, 2004) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Ligue 1 club Strasbourg, on loan from Premier League club Chelsea, and the United States national team.[2]

Club career

Atlanta United

Early career

Wiley grew up in Atlanta's Morningside neighborhood, playing soccer, football, basketball, and baseball in elementary school before focusing on soccer as he grew older.[3] At 11 years old, Wiley participated in an open tryout for enrollment in Atlanta United's youth academy, and secured one of 30 spots on the fledgling club's U-12 team.[4] Joining the academy just before the professional outfit began their inaugural Major League Soccer season, Wiley remained heavily involved with the club through his debut with Atlanta United 2 in 2020. In 2018, Wiley served as a ball boy as Atlanta defeated the Portland Timbers in the 2018 MLS Cup final.[5]

In July 2020, Wiley made his professional debut with Atlanta's USL Championship affiliate, appearing in a 2–1 defeat to the Tampa Bay Rowdies.[6]

Professional

On January 18, 2022, Wiley signed a homegrown player contract with Atlanta United.[7][8] In February, he made his MLS debut against Sporting Kansas City, scoring late in Atlanta's 3–1 victory.[9] With the team suffering from a number of injuries, Wiley found himself moving up the depth chart, finishing the 2022 season with 26 league appearances to his name.[10]

In February 2023, Wiley was named amongst American Soccer Now's top 20 young Americans to watch during the 2023 Major League Soccer season.[11] It didn't take Wiley long to live up to those expectations, scoring twice and providing an additional assist in Atlanta's week three victory over Charlotte FC.[12] At 18 years and 79 days of age, he became the fifth-youngest player in league history to contribute to three goals in a single game.[13] As a result of that performance, he was named to the league's Team of the Matchday for week three[14] and was named Player of the Week.[15] He added his third goal of the season the following week in a 5–1 victory over Portland.[16] Wiley concluded the season with four goals in 33 MLS appearances, as Atlanta were eliminated from the playoffs by eventual champions Columbus. Wiley was believed to have a high upside, but remained "an incomplete attacking player" as well as "a flawed defensive one" according to anaylsts from The Athletic, owing to lapses in his defensive decision-making and awareness.[17]

Chelsea

On July 22, 2024, Premier League club Chelsea announced the signing of Wiley on a six-year contract,[18] paying a transfer fee of approximately £8.5 million.[19]

Loan to Strasbourg

On August 11, 2024, Wiley was loaned out to BlueCo-owned Ligue 1 club Strasbourg on a season-long deal.[20]

International career

In early 2020, Wiley, alongside Atlanta United Academy teammate Efrain Morales, was called up to the United States U17 squad for a UEFA Development Tournament taking place in England.[21] He made his youth international debut on February 19, 2020, playing the entirety of a 2–1 defeat to Spain.[22] In November 2021, at just 16 years of age, he was called up to the United States U20 roster.[23]

On April 19, 2023, Wiley made his senior national team debut in a 1–1 draw in a friendly against Mexico.[24]

On October 8, Wiley was called up to the United States under-23 national team ahead of friendlies against Mexico and Japan.[25]

Player profile

Style of play

Wiley is known for his pace, crossing, and ability to contribute both offensively and defensively, marking him as a versatile option in the fullback position.[26] He has additionally been utilized as a wingback and a winger during his professional career.[17]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played July 7, 2024[2]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Atlanta United 2 2020 USL 11 0 — — — 11 0
2021 USL 22 0 — — — 22 0
Total 33 0 — — — 33 0
Atlanta United 2022 MLS 26 1 — — — 26 1
2023 MLS 30 4 1 0 2[b] 0 3[c] 0 36 4
2024 MLS 21 1 — — — 21 1
Total 77 6 1 0 2 0 3 0 83 6
Strasbourg 2024–25 Ligue 1 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
Career total 110 6 1 0 2 0 3 0 116 6
  1. ^ Includes U.S. Open Cup
  2. ^ Appearances in Leagues Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in MLS Cup Playoffs

International

As of match played January 20, 2024[2]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
United States 2023 1 0
2024 1 0
Total 2 0

References

  1. ^ a b c "Squad List – FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023: USA" (PDF). FIFA. May 18, 2023. p. 23. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "USA – C. Wiley – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  3. ^ Bagby, Dyana (February 27, 2022). "Homegrown Talent: Atlanta United's Caleb Wiley takes soccer skills from Morningside to Mercedes-Benz". Rough Draft Atlanta. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  4. ^ Garbus, Rachel (April 21, 2023). "How Caleb Wiley went from a kid from Morningside to an Atlanta United star". Atlanta. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  5. ^ Sciaretta, Brian (August 24, 2022). "At just 17, Wiley impressing in Atlanta while aiming for big role with the U.S. U-20s". American Soccer Now. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  6. ^ "Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Atlanta United II – 11 July 2020 – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  7. ^ "Atlanta United signs Caleb Wiley to Homegrown Deal | Atlanta United FC".
  8. ^ Roberson, Doug (January 18, 2022). "Atlanta United signs Caleb Wiley to Homegrown deal". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  9. ^ Henry Jr., Larry (February 28, 2022). "Caleb Wiley savors "special moment" in scoring on Atlanta United debut". SBI Soccer. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  10. ^ Bagby, Dyana (November 24, 2022). "Caleb Wiley a bright spot during tough year for Atlanta United". Rough Draft Atlanta. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  11. ^ Sciaretta, Brian (February 17, 2023). "McGlynn, Tolkin, & Wiley top list of 20 Young Americans to watch in 2023 MLS season". American Soccer Now. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  12. ^ Roberson, Doug (March 11, 2023). "Caleb Wiley helps Atlanta United past Charlotte". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  13. ^ "3 - At 18 years 79 days, @ATLUTD's Caleb Wiley (2 goals, 1 assist) is the fifth-youngest player to contribute to three goals in a single match in MLS history. Stripes". Twitter. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  14. ^ Roberson, Doug (March 13, 2023). "Two Atlanta United players on MLS team of the week". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  15. ^ "Atlanta United's Caleb Wiley named Player of the Matchday". Major League Soccer. March 13, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  16. ^ Suggs, Donnell (March 18, 2023). "United winger Caleb Wiley can't stop scoring". Atlanta Voice. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Twomey, Liam (July 29, 2024). "Who is Caleb Wiley and why have Chelsea signed him?". The Athletic. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  18. ^ "Caleb Wiley completes Chelsea transfer". Chelsea F.C. July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  19. ^ "Chelsea sign USMNT left-back Caleb Wiley from Atlanta United for reported £8.5m fee". The Guardian. July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  20. ^ "Caleb Wiley prêté au Racing" [Caleb Wiley loaned to Racing] (in French). RC Strasbourg Alsace. August 11, 2024. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  21. ^ "Two Academy Players to represent US U-17s to kick off 2020-21 cycle". atlutd.com. February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  22. ^ "Spain U17 vs. United States U17 – 19 February 2020 – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  23. ^ Gowder, Grey (November 5, 2021). "Atlanta United Academy prospect Caleb Wiley called into USYNT U-20 camp". Dirty South Soccer. SB Nation. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  24. ^ "United States vs Mexico match summary". MLSSoccer.com. April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  25. ^ "Twenty-three Players Called to U.s. Olympic Men's Soccer Team Training Camp as Preparations for Paris 2024 Kick Off in Phoenix". ussoccer.com. October 8, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  26. ^ "Who is Chelsea's new USMNT wonderkid, Caleb Wiley?". Trigger the Press. July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  • Caleb Wiley at US Soccer Development Academy
  • Caleb Wiley at U.S. Soccer
  • Caleb Wiley at Soccerway.comEdit on Wikidata
  • Caleb Wiley at National-Football-Teams.comEdit on Wikidata
  • Caleb Wiley at FBref.comEdit on Wikidata
  • Caleb Wiley at Major League SoccerEdit on Wikidata
  • Caleb Wiley at L'Équipe (in French)Edit on Wikidata
  • v
  • t
  • e
RC Strasbourg Alsace – current squad
  • v
  • t
  • e
United States men's soccer squad – 2024 Summer Olympics
United States