Toronto Opposition Research, Javier Pérez on the Atlanta Academy Pipeline, and NWSL Growth with Margaret Fleming | SDH Week in Review, 4.25

Jon Nelson brings you the best of SDH AM from the week of April 24, 2026. Three conversations worth your time heading into the weekend. First, Craig Forrest and James Charman from Footy Prime join for opposition research ahead of Atlanta United's Saturday matinee at BMO Field. The Toronto FC breakdown covers Josh Sargent's early impact, Daniel Shalloway's emergence as a goal-scoring star, the back line questions Robin Fraser is still working through, and Luca Gavrón's keeper goal that nobody saw coming. Then, Atlanta United director of methodology Javier Pérez drops in on short notice to talk about two years of building the academy and twos from the ground up. He covers the U-16 side's GA Cup championship run, a competitive showing against Valencia CF at U-15, and where he sees the next wave of first-team talent coming from, including Cooper Sanchez as exhibit A. To close, Front Office Sports reporter Margaret Fleming joins to break down the NWSL's announcement of its 18th franchise in Columbus, Ohio. The conversation covers rising expansion fees, how Atlanta's 2028 entry raises the bar for facilities league-wide, venue sizing concerns in Denver and Boston, and why the league might be better served consolidating now rather than continuing to expand. Soccer Down Here covers the beautiful game from a Southern perspective. Find the Morning Espresso newsletter at soccerdownhere.net.