C. Antley, D.C. United, Defender, #12: Profile, Career & Impact

You see number 12 lining up across the back line, calm and collected, ready for whatever comes next. That’s C. Antley, the D.C. United defender whose steady presence and sharp field awareness keep the club’s defense organized. He mixes discipline, timing, and a quiet kind of leadership into every match, shaping how D.C. United holds the line and pushes forward.

His path didn’t just appear out of nowhere. He worked his way up, from his college days at Mercer University through the USL, and finally into Major League Soccer. Antley’s journey really shows what persistence and smart play can do. His move from the Tampa Bay Rowdies to D.C. United is a good example of how being ready meets opportunity in pro soccer.

His background, position, and playing style all shape his value to the Black and Red. The next sections dive into his early life, tactical approach, and the moves that brought him to MLS, giving you a better sense of how C. Antley became one of D.C. United’s most reliable defenders.

C. Antley at D.C. United

You’ll notice a defender who values structure, timing, and dependability. Conner Antley brings those qualities to D.C. United every match, using his experience and discipline to steady the back line and guide younger teammates when the pressure’s on.

Squad Role and Number

Wearing number 12, Antley usually lines up at right-back. His job focuses on holding the defensive shape, supporting the midfield, and shutting down wide attacks. That kind of consistency makes him a trusted part of the lineup.

Antley joined D.C. United from the Tampa Bay Rowdies in early 2024. He signed a two-year deal through 2025, with an option for 2026, according to the club announcement. Coaches picked up on his calm presence and smart positioning right away.

He skips the flashy stuff. Instead, he talks, stays aware, and helps organize the defense during transitions. In training, his leadership stands out, especially when he’s mentoring younger defenders about spacing and anticipation.

Antley’s experience at Mercer University shaped how he thinks about the game. You’ll see him reading opposing wingers, directing traffic, keeping the defensive line tight, and often cutting out crosses before they even happen.

2025 Season Performance

After his 2024 ACL injury, Antley came back in 2025 with a measured confidence. He’s logged steady minutes and reasserted himself as a reliable choice along the back line.

In a May 2025 match against FC Cincinnati, he scored in a 2–1 win, as WTOP reported. That goal proved he can step up offensively when the team needs it.

2025 Season Stats (as of November 2025):

Category	Value
Appearances	14
Starts	12
Minutes Played	1,050
Goals	1
Assists	2
Yellow Cards	2

His timing on tackles still looks sharp, and his recovery speed after surgery has actually improved. He’s not the fastest guy out there, but his positioning makes up for it. With him back, D.C. United’s right side feels a lot more stable.

Versatility in Defense

Antley’s real strength is his adaptability. You’ve seen him start at right-back, but he’s also filled in as a centre-back or left-back when the team needs it.

That flexibility gives D.C. United more options. When the club shifts to a three-man back line, Antley slots in easily, using his awareness to cover gaps and track runners. His reliability lets coaches tweak formations without losing balance.

He’s comfortable joining the attack, linking up with midfielders, and sending in measured crosses. Off the ball, he stays disciplined and rarely gets caught out.

His technical background from Mercer and time in the USL Championship with Tampa Bay taught him to adjust on the fly. You can see that maturity in how he reads the game, stays calm under pressure, and helps teammates across different roles.

Player Background and Early Life

If you want to understand a player’s game, look at where he’s from and how he got started. Conner Antley’s story is about steady growth, discipline, and a sense of purpose that carried him from small-town fields all the way to Major League Soccer.

Full Name and Birth Details

You know him as C. Antley, but his full name is William Conner Antley. He was born on March 22, 1995, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, a city with a real sports culture.

Standing at 1.85 meters (about 6’1”), Antley has the frame you want in a defender. He plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer, wearing number 12.

His college years at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, gave him a solid base. Between 2014 and 2017, he played 49 matches, scored 8 goals, and had 6 assists. That’s impressive for a defender.

College Career (Mercer Bears)	Years	Appearances	Goals	Assists
Mercer University	2014–2017	49	8	6

Hometown and Upbringing

Antley’s early soccer roots go back to East Coweta High School in Georgia. Growing up near Atlanta gave him access to competitive youth soccer, while family and community support kept him grounded.

He played for East Coweta’s team, where coaches noticed his leadership and tactical awareness. Those qualities helped him earn a spot with Mercer, where he shifted smoothly into the college game.

Living in the suburbs and playing for a strong high school program taught him discipline and adaptability. These traits showed up later in his pro career with teams like South Georgia Tormenta, Indy Eleven, and Tampa Bay Rowdies, before he landed at D.C. United.

Family and Personal Life

Family means a lot to Antley. His brother, Ian Antley, also became a professional soccer player—so that competitive spirit runs in the family.

You can picture the two of them pushing each other, sharpening their skills from a young age. Their shared experiences probably fueled their growth, both on and off the field.

Antley’s family often shows up to his matches, especially the ones near Atlanta. Their support helped him bounce back from setbacks, like the tough ACL injury in 2024. That resilience, with his family’s backing, still shapes how he approaches the game.

For more on his professional background, check out his Wikipedia profile.

Position and Playing Style

C. Antley plays as a defender who values structure, timing, and communication. He focuses on reading plays early, keeping the line organized, and helping teammates with smart positioning instead of risky tackles.

Defensive Strengths

Antley’s defensive work starts with awareness. He tracks runners, stays goal-side, and cuts off passing lanes before things get dangerous. At 1.85 meters, he uses his size well, winning aerial duels and standing firm in one-on-ones.

He often lines up as a right-back, but his sense of spacing lets him fill in as a centre-back too. Coaches rely on him to hold the line, especially when opponents try to overload the wings.

He doesn’t dive in much. Instead, he reads movement, steps in cleanly, and clears danger with composure. His time at Mercer University really shaped that patient, intentional style.

Key Defensive Metrics	2024 Season (Pre-Injury)
Tackles Won	28
Interceptions	22
Clearances	35
Yellow Cards	3

Attacking Contributions

Antley won’t bomb forward recklessly, but when he joins the attack, he adds something extra. His overlapping runs from right-back stretch the field and open space for wingers.

He times his runs well, often linking short passes before sending in crosses. During his Tampa Bay Rowdies stint, he tallied several assists by staying alert in transition.

His crossing accuracy stands out more than his goal numbers. He likes to whip in driven balls across the goal, setting up strikers for first-time finishes.

Antley stays calm on the ball, helping his team reset under pressure. You can count on him to recycle possession and maintain width, especially when the midfield gets crowded.

Adaptability on the Field

Antley’s adaptability shows in how smoothly he shifts across the back line. While he’s mostly a right-back, he’s filled in as a centre-back and even a left-back when the team needs it.

Coaches appreciate that kind of flexibility. It lets D.C. United switch between a back four and a wingback system without losing defensive balance.

His time in the USL Championship built that versatility. Playing for Indy Eleven and South Georgia Tormenta forced him to adjust to different setups.

When injuries or tactical changes pop up, Antley’s reliability keeps the defense organized. He reads the game quickly, talks his teammates through situations, and adjusts his positioning as needed.

Professional Career Journey

Conner Antley built his career on steady progress, consistent play, and adaptability. His time with different clubs shows how commitment and skill development can lead to bigger opportunities.

Tampa Bay Rowdies Tenure

You watched Antley become a steady presence for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USL Championship. Over three seasons, he played 102 matches and contributed 14 assists. His ability to get forward and create chances made him one of the Rowdies’ most reliable defenders.

In 2021, he helped Tampa Bay win the USL Championship Regular Season title. That year, he tied for the team lead in assists, proving his value on both sides of the ball. His defensive positioning and calmness under pressure earned him respect inside the locker room.

Season	Matches	Goals	Assists	Competition
2021	31	0	6	USL Championship
2022	36	0	5	USL Championship
2023	35	0	3	USL Championship

His performances in Tampa Bay built his reputation and set him up for the jump to Major League Soccer with D.C. United.

Indy Eleven Experience

Before Tampa Bay, Antley played for Indy Eleven in the USL Championship during the 2020 season. It was a short but important stop in his development. He appeared in 12 matches, created seven chances, and showed he could handle different roles across the back line.

Indy Eleven coaches valued his steady defending and how quickly he could transition from defense to attack. That experience gave him a taste of a competitive environment and helped him sharpen his tactical sense.

That one season proved he could adapt to different systems and keep his level high. The move also paved the way for his transfer to Tampa Bay, where he’d continue growing as a pro defender.

South Georgia Tormenta FC

You can trace Antley’s professional start to South Georgia Tormenta FC in USL League One. He joined the club in 2018 after his Mercer University days, where he picked up two All-Southern Conference First Team honors.

In 2019, Antley put up six goals and seven assists over 28 matches. For a defender, those stats really jump out and show off his attacking mindset.

Tormenta FC gave him a place to lead and prove his reliability. Their system let him push upfield, test his stamina, and make quick decisions under pressure.

That stretch of success caught the eye of bigger USL clubs. Eventually, it set up his move to Indy Eleven.

Seattle Sounders FC U-23

Earlier on, Antley got some experience with Seattle Sounders FC U-23 in the Premier Development League. That stint gave him a taste of a pro training setup, all while he was still developing at Mercer.

He used his time there to sharpen his technical skills and get a feel for the game’s faster pace. Facing top college and academy players forced him to adjust and step up.

The lessons from Seattle gave him confidence and prepared him for the pro grind. Looking back, it really set the stage for his climb to the top of American soccer.

College and Youth Development

Antley’s technical discipline and game sense go back to his early years in Georgia. Those seasons of structured team play and steady work ethic shaped the defender who would earn a shot in Major League Soccer.

Mercer University Achievements

At Mercer University, Antley turned into a reliable and attack-minded defender. He played in 66 matches over four seasons, starting 63 of them.

He scored 11 goals and tallied 9 assists, earning two All-Southern Conference First Team nods.

His time at Mercer showed off his versatility. Coaches put him on the right flank, where he balanced defense and overlapping runs.

He read the game well and switched play, making himself a steady presence.

Season	Matches Played	Goals	Assists	Honors
2015–2018	66	11	9	2× All-SoCon First Team

Mercer’s competitive environment sharpened his decision-making. The program focused on tactical awareness and physical prep, which set him up for the pro game.

East Coweta High School Legacy

Before college, Antley made his mark at East Coweta High School in Sharpsburg, Georgia. Even then, you could spot his leadership, guiding the back line and setting a calm, disciplined tone.

He earned local respect for steady play, not flashy moments. Coaches liked his timing and his ability to organize teammates under pressure.

His experience in both school and club soccer gave him a solid technical base.

At East Coweta, he learned just how important reliability and composure are. Those habits stuck with him into college and now at D.C. United, where you see the same traits in his pro style.

Contracts, Transfers, and Representation

A player’s career path really shapes their value and stability, doesn’t it? Conner Antley’s recent moves, contract terms, and rep show how steady USL performances can open doors in Major League Soccer.

D.C. United Contract Details

Conner Antley inked a two-year contract with D.C. United in February 2024. The deal runs through December 31, 2025, with a club option for 2026—so the team can keep him around if things go well.

Transfermarkt notes the agreement came after his transfer from the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

D.C. United clearly trusts Antley’s reliability at right-back. They want to boost defensive depth but keep some flexibility with that extra option year.

Contract Snapshot

Detail	Information
Signing Date	February 14, 2024
Contract Length	2 years (through 2025)
Option Year	Club option for 2026
Position	Defender, Right-Back
Club	D.C. United

Antley’s domestic status helps the roster too, letting the club save international slots for other signings.

Historic USL Transfer

Before D.C. United, Antley spent three solid seasons with the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USL Championship. The Rowdies reached a transfer deal to send him to MLS, according to OurSports Central.

You can track his steady climb from South Georgia Tormenta FC to Indy Eleven, then Tampa Bay, where his consistency finally drew MLS attention.

With the Rowdies, he made over 100 appearances and notched 14 assists.

That transfer marked a real leap from USL to MLS. It shows how consistent play and durability can open up top-tier chances.

D.C. United’s move for Antley reflects their approach: find proven lower-league talent to shore up the backline.

Career Path Overview

Club	League	Years	Appearances	Assists
South Georgia Tormenta FC	USL League One	2018–2019	28	7
Indy Eleven	USL Championship	2020	12	0
Tampa Bay Rowdies	USL Championship	2021–2023	102	14
D.C. United	MLS	2024–Present	—	—

Player Agent and Representation

Conner Antley works with First Team, a player management agency that represents several professionals in U.S. soccer. Transfermarkt lists First Team as the group that handles his contract talks and career planning.

Knowing how agents shape contract outcomes actually helps a lot. Agents at First Team jump into salary negotiations, option clauses, and all the transfer details, so players get fair deals but still keep their options open for the future.

Antley’s career keeps moving forward, and that probably says a lot about how well his agency supports him. With First Team in his corner, his next contract talks should show off both his experience and the value he brings as a reliable MLS defender.