I gotta say, even though I think I'd prefer the Chick-Fil-A sponsor, the Coca-Cola script looks so damn good on a jersey. Also not sure that CFA would let us use a non-red logo.
Juan Arango @JuanG_Arango Wayne Rooney to play in MLS come 2017. Would be playing with Atlanta United. [@PolancoESA]
DECATUR, Ga. — It’s a surprising bit of trivia: The U.S. men’s national team hasn’t played a game in Atlanta since 1977, a 1-0 win over China on artificial turf at Fulton County Stadium. There are a lot of reasons for the long wait, from Atlanta not having an ideal soccer venue to the lack of a top-flight club team here for so long. But the times are changing here soccer-wise. The impending arrival of Atlanta United FC to MLS in 2017, along with the construction of a new stadium for that team and the Falcons downtown (albeit on fake turf), happens to coincide with hosting the semifinals for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup at the Georgia Dome on Wednesday. More than 68,000 tickets have been sold for the double-header, with USA-Jamaica followed by Mexico-Panama. For U.S. players Kyle Beckerman and Brad Evans, actually setting foot outside Hartsfield International Airport here is a new thing. “We played Ghana with the U-17s here a long time ago,” said Beckerman, who’s now 33. “Lots of times when we’re in Atlanta it’s at the airport going somewhere. But I’m excited be back. This is a great time for soccer in Atlanta.” Evans, you might recall, has fond memories of playing against Jamaica. In June 2013, he scored his first international goal, a 92nd-minute game-winner—the latest for the U.S. in a World Cup qualifier—to beat the Reggae Boyz 2-1 in Kingston. The three points that night set up the U.S. for a breeze through World Cup qualifying that summer en route to a place in Brazil 2014. “That didn’t sink in until probably a couple weeks, a couple months later,” said Evans, whose crazy-man jersey-over-his-face celebration remains a lasting image. “You always remember certain firsts in your career, your first cap and then your first goal, and obviously away from home was incredible. The stadium, the atmosphere, no clock on the field. I had no idea what time it was even [in the game]. It was just pure emotion.” For some reason or another, grass often seems to be a pertinent topic in USA-Jamaica games. In Kingston, there’s always a pungent aroma of ganja wafting through the stands. And here at the Georgia Dome there will be a temporary grass surface overlaying the stadium’s usual artificial turf. It’s the third time the U.S. will be playing on such a field in this Gold Cup after doing the same in Foxboro, Massachusetts, and Baltimore. How do the U.S. players get a sense of such a field when they first see it? “We always get a walk-through on the field,” said Evans. “Nothing really hits you until you’re actually playing in the game. Warmups are completely different than a walk-through, and obviously a walk-through is different than actually playing in the game. “The other day [in Baltimore] we did a walk-through the day before. We had some fun doing some juggles with the ball, but until I put on my boots and really was on the field and looking to sprint and change directions did I realize how heavy the field actually was. It felt like you were running through sand.” The first thing Beckerman said he decides about a field is what kind of footwear he should use. “Do I need to wear the mixed studs or the regular moldeds?” he said. “That’s the biggest thing. If it’s wet, you’re going to go with the mix. If it’s not, then you’re going with these [he pointed to his molded plastic studs]. You don’t want to slip. Usually in Europe you’re wearing the mixed studs. Usually in the States you’re wearing the regular. But in Kansas City it was pretty soft [on the natural grass].” The funny thing here is that while nobody expects the temporary grass surface to be ideal for Wednesday’s game, the natural grass on the U.S.’s practice field at Georgia State University on Monday got a big thumbs-up from everyone. “This is ridiculous,” said Evans with a smile. “It’s amazing.”
Atlanta showed once again last night it will have no problem being a soccer city..... (referring more to USA support/loud stadium and NOT Mexico fans) .........too bad no one will remember that and we wont see USMNT here until god knows when.
Stupid announcers kept talking about how many Mexican fans were there. Never mentioned or showed the US supporters.
outside the stadium it seemed that way but once USA kicked off i was actually surprised how many fans were there, how loud it was, and how much green I Didnt see.
there were more Mexico fans in the upper deck, yes. But in lower bowl and 200s it was split pretty evenly
looks like training facility will either be in Marietta by Cobb Braves or in Avondale Estates by Kensington Marta station http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/pro-sports/atlanta-united-fc-considers-training-site-in-dekal/nm6DQ/
A proposed deal for practice soccer fields and a corporate headquarters for Atlanta United FC would cost DeKalb County an estimated $12 million, 41 acres of government land and tax considerations, according to a pending agreement. The $30 million soccer complex would be built near the intersection of Interstate 285 and Memorial Drive, behind the DeKalb Jail. Atlanta United FC Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra, MLS Atlanta owner Arthur Blank, MLS Commissioner Don Garber, and Atlanta United FC President Darren Eales unveiled the team’s new logo on Tuesday. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for MLS Atlanta) In exchange, the team owned by Arthur Blank would build a 3,500-seat stadium, three outdoor practice fields and a corporate headquarters. Additional fields and an indoor training facility could be built later. Ownership of the land and facilities would revert to the county after 30 years. The proposed agreement, obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Wednesday, is scheduled for a vote of the DeKalb Commission on Tuesday. The $12 million contribution from the county includes an estimated $7 million paid to Blank so the county could locate its parks department in new offices in the stadium. Another estimated $5 million would be required for demolition and land preparation. In addition, Blank won’t have to pay property taxes, and all permitting fees for the soccer complex would be waived. The county would pursue funding for a pedestrian walkway from the complex to the Kensington MARTA station. Blank would pay the county 15 percent of revenue for naming rights and branded events held at the complex. The fields and the stadium could be used by the county when they’re not needed by Atlanta United, which will begin its first season in 2017.
Sounds like a pretty good deal for Blank and AUFC. Also, you have to think that the 3,500 seat stadium would serve as a home for a future AUFC 2/reserve team in the future.
I don't believe so. http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/new-falcons-stadium-will-have-artificial-turf/nbbTp/
they said at the team announcement they would continue (Falcons) to play on turf. Real grass is only brought in for the international stuff. maybe the all star game or other single events.
Probably not just a cost saving measure. Since it's just a partial dome I imagine proper sunlight for a "world class" surface would be a challenge. Not impossible but probably more of a pain in the ass than it's worth.
ATL should consider putting their USL team in Chattanooga. It is close to Atlanta and has ridiculous attendance for NPSL games. They got over 18,000 for the Champ Game against Cosmos II. This is amateur level soccer for the most part and they are getting great crowds. Get 2-4K per regular season game and 8K+ for playoffs.
As a Chattahooligan, I love our amateur status. I'm not sure how that would be received by the fans. I wouldn't mind it personally, however, I think there's something cool about getting a mixture of local players in with the team and you definitely wouldn't have that if they were promoted to USL and partnered with AUFC. I've got to think they'd pick the Silverbacks regardless.