Six years ago, Conner Antley was likely on few people’s radars in America’s professional soccer ranks.

On Wednesday, he became the newest member of historic Major League Soccer club D.C. United, culminating a journey that has seen the 28-year-old make almost 150 appearances between the USL Championship and USL League One, claim silverware as one of the consistent presences in the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ back line, and earn every opportunity that’s come his way.

Competing collegiately at Mercer College in his native Georgia, Antley concluded his career in 2017 without a professional offer to continue his career. The following summer, however, his path began with South Georgia Tormenta FC, then in USL League Two. Part of the club’s division-title winning squad that also included All-Southern Conference selections Marco Micaletto and Pablo Jara, Antley impressed Tormenta’s leadership and remained with the club as it moved into the professional ranks in USL League One’s inaugural season.

From there, Antley became a revelation. Playing as a right-sided wingback in South Georgia’s system, he recorded six goals and six assists in the attacking third while also posting 40 tackles at a 76.9 percent success rate and more than 200 recoveries. Antley was voted League One’s Defender of the Year and became the first player in league history to be transferred to a higher level as Indy Eleven came calling prior to the 2020 USL Championship season.

Antley was solid for Indy during the abbreviated season but came into his own after an offseason move to Tampa Bay before the 2021 season. In 98 appearances across the regular season and playoffs, he recorded 14 assists and 78 chances created while showing his versatility as a wingback or on the right side of then-Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins’ three-man defensive line. In his first season in Tampa Bay, the side won the Players’ Shield and the Eastern Conference title with Antley as one of the club’s mainstays.

Now he’ll get his first chance at top-flight soccer with D.C. and new Head Coach Troy Lesesne. For the Rowdies, there are replacements waiting in the wings, including the recently signed Nick Moon. At the same time, it’s a farewell to a player who has meant much to the club and its fans.