J. Cohen Atlanta United Goalkeeper 22 Performance Analysis and Season Overview
Josh Cohen has quickly become a key piece for Atlanta United, wearing that number 22 kit in Major League Soccer. Fans see him as a calming force in the back and, honestly, he just looks like he belongs out there. Cohen brings a mix of American and international experience, which, let’s face it, is exactly what Atlanta United needed. After some trophy-laden years overseas, including a handful of titles, his move stateside made people across MLS take notice.
Cohen’s path to MLS really shows his commitment and drive. Atlanta United locked him in through 2025, betting big on his skills and that winning mindset. There’s a real buzz around how much he’ll shape Atlanta’s defense for one of the league’s most ambitious clubs.
Let’s take a quick look at some of J. Cohen’s recent stats with Atlanta United:
| Season | Games Played | Clean Sheets | Save Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17 | 7 | 77.4% |
Contents
Profile of Josh Cohen
Josh Cohen plays as a professional goalkeeper for Atlanta United. His story, physical makeup, and dual citizenship all give him a unique edge on the pitch.
Background and Early Life
Josh Cohen was born August 18, 1992, in Mountain View, California. Growing up in the Bay Area, he found himself right in the middle of a soccer-loving community that fueled his early passion.
He went to the University of California, San Diego, playing college soccer from 2010 to 2014. At UC San Diego, Cohen built a name as a steady presence in goal. After college, he bounced around a few lower division teams here in the States.
That grind eventually took him overseas, where he really started to turn heads.
Cohen’s journey led him to Israel, and he became a standout there. His time in Israel sharpened his skills and boosted his international profile. That strong foundation set him up for his current spot as Atlanta United’s main man in goal.
Physical Attributes
Standing at 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) and weighing around 174 lbs (79 kg), Cohen’s got the athletic build modern goalkeepers need. His frame helps him control the penalty area and cover the net with authority.
He’s got quick reflexes, solid flexibility, and—maybe most important—a knack for reading the game when it gets tense. Cohen’s right-footed, and that shapes how he distributes the ball.
Here’s a quick rundown of Cohen’s physical stats:
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 6’1″ (185 cm) |
| Weight | 174 lbs (79 kg) |
| Dominant Foot | Right |
His size and agility give him an edge, both in MLS and on the international scene.
Citizenship and Dual Nationality
Josh Cohen holds American citizenship since he grew up in Mountain View, California. His stint in Israel allowed him to pick up Israeli citizenship too, which definitely opened doors for him.
With dual nationality, Cohen enjoys a ton of flexibility in his career. In Israel, he played as a domestic player—no foreign player headaches for the roster.
That dual status keeps shaping his career choices. It also connects him to different communities, giving him a broader cultural identity. If you want more details, check out his Atlanta United official player profile.
Atlanta United Career
Atlanta United picked up Josh Cohen after he made a name for himself in Israel. He arrived with a strong pedigree, and honestly, fans expected him to shake things up in goal.
Signing and Contract Details
Atlanta United signed Cohen as a free agent on December 14, 2023. The contract runs through 2025, with a club option for 2026.
He joined from Maccabi Haifa, where he won three straight league titles and racked up individual honors. Atlanta United needed experienced depth in goal, especially with Brad Guzan nearing the end of his run.
Cohen’s arrival showed the club wanted to boost its roster with proven talent—guys who can help on the field and in the locker room.
Role and Competition
Cohen’s job at Atlanta United has been to push for the starting spot in MLS. Brad Guzan, the veteran leader, still held the top spot, but Cohen’s overseas résumé made him a real contender.
He brought quick reflexes, leadership, and the ability to organize the defense. The coaching staff loved having two experienced keepers. Training got more competitive, and Atlanta could rotate between Cohen and Guzan as needed.
That competition raised the bar and gave the club options if someone got hurt or struggled.
Performances and Appearances
Cohen’s outings for Atlanta United have shown off his talent. He made some big saves in early matches and kept multiple clean sheets, proving he could handle MLS speed.
His positioning and command of the box helped Atlanta’s backline stay calm under pressure.
Check out his 2024 stats here:
| Category | Appearances | Clean Sheets | Saves | Goals Conceded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLS Regular Season | 8 | 3 | 29 | 9 |
His numbers tell the story—steady presence, high save percentage, and a direct hand in Atlanta’s playoff push. For more, take a look at Cohen’s official Atlanta United bio and his Transfermarkt profile.
Previous Club History
Josh Cohen made a real mark in Israeli football, becoming one of the league’s top keepers. He delivered consistent performances, picked up major honors, and played in big European matches.
Maccabi Haifa Achievements
Cohen played for Maccabi Haifa in the Israeli Premier League, and he quickly earned a reputation as a brick wall. He helped the club win three league titles in a row.
In the 2020-2021 campaign, he picked up the Israeli Premier League Player of the Season award. That’s no small feat.
Cohen was known for his quick reactions, shot-stopping, and leadership. Over several seasons, he stacked up clean sheets and was often in the conversation for Israeli Footballer of the Year.
Maccabi Haifa Achievements Table:
| Season | League Titles | Player of the Season | Clean Sheets* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-2021 | Yes | Yes | 17 |
| 2021-2022 | Yes | No | 14 |
| 2022-2023 | Yes | No | 13 |
*Clean sheets totals are estimated.
UEFA Competitions
Cohen took his talents to Europe as Maccabi Haifa’s starting goalkeeper in the UEFA Champions League. He played six matches in the 2022-2023 competition, facing some of the best teams around.
Those games were a real test. Cohen handled the pressure, showed confidence, and earned respect on the European stage.
He also played in the UEFA Europa League during his time with Haifa. That experience only boosted his reputation as a goalkeeper who could compete internationally. For more on his European matches, check the official Atlanta United FC profile.
United States Domestic Career
Cohen started building his American soccer rep in the USL Championship. He played for clubs like Sacramento Republic FC, Phoenix Rising FC, and Orange County SC, turning heads with his consistent starts and big saves.
Sacramento Republic FC
Cohen joined Sacramento Republic FC in 2018 and immediately took over as starting goalkeeper. He played 34 league matches and notched 12 clean sheets, making him one of the USL’s most reliable keepers that year.
Sacramento leaned on his shot-stopping and leadership. Cohen organized the defense and handled pressure in those tense moments.
Sacramento reached the USL Cup Playoffs, and Cohen was a big reason why. His save percentage was close to 74%, and he kept his goals-against average under 1.20.
He also started attacks with sharp distribution out of the back.
| Season | Appearances | Clean Sheets | Save % | GAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 34 | 12 | 74% | 1.15 |
Phoenix Rising FC
Before Sacramento, Cohen spent 2017 with Phoenix Rising FC. He started out as a backup, but quickly won the starting job and finished with 29 appearances.
His clutch saves late in games helped Phoenix make the USL Playoffs for the first time. Cohen tallied 9 clean sheets and a save percentage just above 70%.
He was cool under pressure, especially in tight matches against tough Western Conference teams.
Cohen’s distribution and command of the box really improved in Phoenix. He read crosses well and set the stage for what came next in his career.
Orange County Soccer Club
Cohen kicked off his USL journey with Orange County Soccer Club in 2015. Over two seasons, he forced his way into the starting lineup and played 30 league games.
His reflexes stood out right away, and he helped shore up the defense after a rough start. In Orange County, Cohen sharpened his communication and technical skills.
He was especially good in penalty situations and earned praise from coaches for his work ethic. Cohen’s first professional clean sheet came with Orange County—a sign of things to come.
USL Awards and Recognition
During his USL days, Cohen picked up several league honors. In 2018, he made the USL All-League Second Team after ranking among the best in clean sheets and goals-against average.
He was a finalist for USL’s Goalkeeper of the Year and showed up in the weekly USL Team of the Week selections. MLS scouts definitely took notice.
Cohen’s quick reactions, confident positioning, and leadership made him one of the top American keepers before he made the jump to MLS.
Key Matches and Tournaments
J. Cohen’s time with Atlanta United has been anything but dull. He’s played crucial roles in high-stakes matches, delivering performances that have shaped Atlanta’s results across the board.
Leagues Cup and MLS Playoffs
Alright, folks, let’s talk Leagues Cup. Cohen really showed up for Atlanta United when they went toe-to-toe with tough international squads. You could see his confidence—he owned the box and those quick reflexes? Just wow. He flat-out helped Atlanta snag those crucial clean sheets and pushed them further than most people predicted.
Now, in the latest MLS Playoffs, Cohen didn’t get a break. Top scorers tested him all night long. He faced some serious heat, making clutch saves when it mattered most. He stayed sharp from kickoff to the final whistle, keeping Atlanta in the hunt.
Let’s check out some numbers:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| MLS Save % | 76.4% |
| Clean Sheets | 8 |
| Leagues Cup GlsA | 1.12 |
I mean, look at those numbers. That’s why he’s a trusted presence in Atlanta United’s back line.
U.S. Open Cup Performance
Cohen really stepped up in the U.S. Open Cup. Atlanta United faced some gritty lower-division teams, and he never blinked in those knockout moments. The defense rotated a lot because of the packed schedule, but Cohen anchored them every time.
He shut down clear scoring chances, especially with some big-time stops late in matches. When Atlanta needed someone to organize the back line or stay cool during penalty shootouts, Cohen answered the call.
He read attacks well and commanded his area, even with less-experienced defenders in front of him. Those Cup runs? Cohen’s calm in the chaos made a difference.
Notable Matches Against MLS Rivals
Big games against MLS rivals? Cohen made his mark. That win over Inter Miami—he pulled off save after save, leaving Miami’s strikers shaking their heads. Even in a tight 3-2 loss to Charlotte, he kept Atlanta in it with some critical interventions.
And don’t forget the scoreless draw with New York City FC II. Cohen’s presence and clutch stops led Atlanta United 2 to a penalty shootout victory. He adapts to any attack and delivers when the pressure’s on.
Atlanta leans on his experience and steady hand, no matter who’s on the other side.
Injuries and Fitness
Josh Cohen hasn’t had the smoothest ride with injuries at Atlanta United. He’s missed big chunks of this season, and his availability has definitely been a talking point.
Groin Injury and Recovery
Let’s talk about Cohen’s rocky start to the year. He kicked things off with an adductor (groin) injury that kept him off the pitch for Atlanta United. That’s not the way you want to begin a season, right?
The club’s medical team jumped in right away. They put together a rehab plan that zeroed in on flexibility and strength—pretty standard, but crucial stuff.
Cohen sat out a handful of matches while working his way back. When he finally rejoined training, the coaches didn’t rush things. They slowly ramped up his workload and kept a close eye for any setbacks.
He started looking close to match fitness. Just as things seemed to be turning the corner, though, another injury popped up.
Recent Injury Table
| Injury | Date | Estimated Return | Matches Missed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groin | Early 2025 | Spring 2025 | Multiple |
| Forearm Fracture | June 2025 | Late July 2025 | 6+ |
Right as Cohen was about to put that groin issue behind him, he fractured his left forearm. Atlanta United news outlets reported the setback, and let’s just say, it’s been a tough stretch for the guy.
This latest injury means more time away from the lineup and adds to a frustrating run for Cohen. If you want the latest, check out Atlanta United’s injury update.
