Dominik Chong-Qui Bio
Dominik Chong-Qui, born on December 27, 2007, is an American professional soccer player who plays as a left-back for Major League Soccer club Atlanta United. He joined the Atlanta United youth academy in 2022 and quickly rose through the club’s developmental pathway, contributing to one of the most successful youth sides in the country. Chong-Qui made his professional debut with Atlanta United 2 in June 2024 and earned a full first-team contract with Atlanta United in April 2025, marking a rapid ascent for a player still in his late teens.
Early Life and Background
Dominik Chong-Qui was born on December 27, 2007, in Alpharetta, Georgia, a suburban city located north of Atlanta that has produced several notable athletes in recent years. Growing up in a region with a strong youth soccer infrastructure, he was introduced to the sport at a young age and developed his game through local clubs. Before entering the Atlanta United system, he played for Georgia Express, where he began to attract attention for his combination of speed, strength, and tactical awareness on the left side of the field.
Chong-Qui’s physical presence and athletic ability stood out early, traits that would later become central to his reputation as a defender. Alpharetta’s proximity to Atlanta, a city with a deep soccer culture, helped expose him to high-level coaching and competition throughout his formative years. Those early experiences with Georgia Express laid the groundwork for his transition into one of Major League Soccer’s most respected academy programs.
Path to Soccer
Chong-Qui’s pathway to professional soccer accelerated in 2022 when he joined the Atlanta United youth academy, a pipeline that has produced several homegrown players in recent seasons. Working with experienced academy coaches, he continued to refine his skills as a left-back, focusing on defensive positioning, crossing, and his ability to contribute to attacking play. In 2023, his development was rewarded with a place on the Atlanta United U-16 team that captured the MLS NEXT Cup Championship, one of the most prestigious youth titles in North American soccer.
That championship experience confirmed his readiness for the next step, and in 2024, while still part of the academy, Chong-Qui began training and playing with Atlanta United 2, the club’s reserve side competing in MLS NEXT Pro. His performances at that level demonstrated that he could handle the physical and tactical demands of professional soccer, setting the stage for a transition to the senior squad in 2025.
Dominik Chong-Qui Career
Early Career (2024)
Chong-Qui’s professional career began in 2024 with Atlanta United 2, the reserve team affiliated with the Major League Soccer club. He made his debut in June 2024 while still officially listed as an academy player, a sign of the club’s confidence in his ability to perform against older opponents. His integration into the reserve side was smooth, and he took advantage of consistent minutes to demonstrate the qualities that had marked his youth career.
That December, Chong-Qui signed a second-team contract that was structured to convert into a first-team homegrown agreement in 2026. The deal reflected Atlanta United’s long-term plan for his development and rewarded a year in which he had balanced academy duties with professional appearances. The contract structure also gave him the opportunity to train alongside the senior squad and learn from more experienced teammates.
Atlanta United 2 and First-Team Breakthrough (2024–2025)
The 2025 season brought Chong-Qui’s most significant career step to date. On March 1, 2025, he signed a short-term agreement with the Atlanta United first team and made his Major League Soccer debut during a 2–0 away loss to Charlotte FC. The appearance marked the realization of a dream that had taken shape during his time in the youth academy, and it established him as one of the club’s emerging homegrown talents.
Later that same month, on March 30, 2025, Chong-Qui signed another short-term agreement and earned his first senior start during a 4–3 home win over New York City FC. The performance showcased his comfort on the big stage and his ability to contribute in an end-to-end contest against a high-profile opponent. On April 4, 2025, he signed a full first-team contract with Atlanta United, ending the uncertainty surrounding his short-term deals and confirming his place in the senior squad.
Atlanta United Era (2025–Present)
Since signing his full first-team contract, Chong-Qui has remained part of Atlanta United’s senior group as the 2025 season progresses. He has continued to develop under head coach Ronny Deila, who publicly praised the young defender during preseason training. His presence in the squad has added depth to the left-back position and provided the club with a long-term option grown within its own academy.
Chong-Qui’s transition from academy product to first-team contributor reflects Atlanta United’s broader investment in homegrown talent. By promoting a player who came through the U-16 championship squad of 2023, the club has underlined the value of its developmental pathway. His continued integration into the senior setup will be one of the storylines to watch for Atlanta United in 2025 and beyond.
Driving Style and Strengths
Described as a rapid and physically imposing fullback, Chong-Qui combines pace with strength to compete against senior attackers. Head coach Ronny Deila highlighted his physique, his quickness, and his quality in one-on-one defending during the 2025 preseason, while also noting his tactical maturity for a player his age. The coach’s comments underscored that Chong-Qui’s game extends beyond physical tools, with composure and decision-making considered equally important to his profile.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the standout moments of Chong-Qui’s young career is the 2023 MLS NEXT Cup Championship won with the Atlanta United U-16 team, which signaled his arrival on the national youth stage. His Major League Soccer debut against Charlotte FC in March 2025 and his first senior start against New York City FC later that month marked his entry into professional soccer’s top tier in the United States. The signing of his full first-team contract on April 4, 2025, cemented his status as a first-team professional.
Dominik Chong-Qui Career Wins
Dominik Chong-Qui’s list of verified accomplishments is led by the 2023 MLS NEXT Cup Championship, earned as a member of the Atlanta United U-16 squad during his academy years. That youth title stands as the most significant collective achievement of his career to date and helped pave the way for his move into Atlanta United 2 and eventually the senior team. His professional career, which began in 2024, is still in its early stages, and additional team and individual honors are expected to follow as he gains more first-team experience.
Atlanta United Youth Highlights
As a member of the Atlanta United U-16 team, Chong-Qui was part of the squad that won the 2023 MLS NEXT Cup Championship, one of the premier youth tournaments in North American soccer. The victory highlighted the strength of Atlanta United’s academy and gave Chong-Qui a taste of championship-level competition. His contributions during that campaign helped establish him as one of the academy’s most promising defenders.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the 2023 MLS NEXT Cup, Chong-Qui’s resume continues to grow through his appearances with Atlanta United 2 and the senior team. His first MLS start, a 4–3 home win over New York City FC on March 30, 2025, is among the most notable individual performances of his early professional career. Additional results from the 2025 season are expected to build on this foundation as he accumulates minutes at the highest level.
Dominik Chong-Qui Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Chong-Qui was born and raised in Alpharetta, Georgia, an area known for its strong youth sports culture. He spent his early playing years with Georgia Express before joining the Atlanta United academy in 2022, a path that shaped his development as a left-back. Details about his parents and broader family are not publicly available in verified sources.
Personal Life
At the time of his professional breakthrough in 2025, Chong-Qui was 17 years old and focused primarily on his soccer career with Atlanta United. Information about a spouse, partner, or children has not been publicly confirmed. His social media presence, including an active Instagram account, offers glimpses into his life as a young professional athlete in Atlanta.
2025 Season Performance
Dominik Chong-Qui’s 2025 season has been defined by his rapid rise from academy player to first-team contributor at Atlanta United. After making his Major League Soccer debut on March 1 against Charlotte FC, he earned his first senior start on March 30 against New York City FC and signed a full first-team contract on April 4. The sequence of events over a single month illustrated both the club’s trust in his abilities and his readiness for top-level competition.
Under head coach Ronny Deila, Chong-Qui has continued to work on the defensive and offensive responsibilities associated with the left-back role. His preseason performances drew public praise from the coaching staff, and his early regular-season appearances reinforced that evaluation. As the season unfolds, his development will be closely monitored by the Atlanta United fan base and by league observers tracking the club’s homegrown talent.
Looking ahead, Chong-Qui’s primary objective in 2025 is to establish himself as a consistent contributor for Atlanta United while continuing to refine his game at the professional level. With a homegrown contract in hand and a clear pathway within the organization, he has the platform needed to build on the promise shown during his academy and reserve-team years. His progress will be a key subplot of Atlanta United’s 2025 campaign and a marker of the strength of the club’s developmental system.