BREAKING: Colorado Rapids Acquire Atlanta Center Back Noah Cobb on Loan

Commerce City, CO – Burgundy Wave can confirm Colorado Rapids acquired Atlanta United center back Noah Cobb on loan through the end of 2025. Atlanta will get $100,000 in 2025 GAM. There will be an option to buy. Sources tell Burgundy Wave for about half a million in GAM, slightly above what his MLS market value would be. Reporting indicates this is move does not impact the club’s desire to sign a starting level center back this window with Rob Holding being a primary target.

Cobb just turned 20-years-old. He is an Atlanta United academy graduate, though grew up in Chattanooga, TN and was a part of the Chattanooga FC academy set up previously. He joined Atlanta United 2 in 2021 and has played 60 matches across all competitions for the second team. This includes seasons in which the club was in the USL Championship prior to MLS NEXT Pro starting.

The 6’1″ Homegrown joined the first team in 2023. He started 16 games in the MLS regular season last year. In 2025, he has 3 starts, 13 appearances, and 429 minutes played. It’s a small sample size, but his progressing passing and possession numbers are excellent. He makes good passes that build the attack and he does it well. Good in the air as well which should help on set pieces. Last summer, he was a part of the USMNT U-20s at the Concacaf U-20 Championship. Transfermarkt has his value at $1.4 million for what that’s worth.

The club is taking a flyer on a young player they’ve probably scouted in MLS NEXT Pro and see potential in. He’s gotten minutes for Atlanta which is no small feat. He makes $109K a year. Maybe they like him and pick up the option.

This could make the center back bench a bit crowded if they pick up the option. The club is likely signing Lucas Herrington and having him join in January. Ian Murphy is here and gotten some minutes. Mike Edwards and Nate Jones are on loan in the USLC. It’s a position of need. One of these prospects should hit and become an MLS caliber starter. At the same time, they’re going to have to part ways with one or more of them in the next two windows. This signing suggests they wanted another body and/or don’t totally the progress Murphy, Edwards, and Jones are making.

“He’s a talented young center back we’ve followed closely for some time, and we believe he has all the tools to thrive in our environment. We’re looking forward to working with him and helping him reach his full potential,” said President Pádraig Smith.

Photo Credit: Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images

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