Atlanta Soccer » Georgia Dome

Atlanta getting some Soccer love: Bosnia versus Mexico

GHerden — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 13:00:52 +0000

So I have to admit, work tends to get in the way of watching my soccer games, but don’t tell them that. February 9^th 2011 had me sitting at work sneaking peaks on the International Friendlies, that naturally all had to play during the day, stupid time difference!

Upon reaching the house, it had some how escaped me that Mexico was playing Bosnia…in Georgia…at the Georgia Dome. Talk about a fail. I knew they were playing and just planned to find a stream to watch at the house, but it wasn’t until my husband brought it up that the radio announced they were here that I flipped my switch. I quickly threw on some red, black, and green. (Being that I’m a quarter Mexican, I do own some Mexican attire, however to hunt that down in my disorganized closet wasn’t happening in five minutes) and ran out the door to grab a seat at my first international game.

I have to give it to the Mexican fans. They had it packed. I’ve been to soccer games before, but to see a stadium of fans cheering, the atmosphere is absolutely amazing. My husband, who had never been to a soccer game, and is not a fan of the sport, even felt the awesome vibe from the fans and found himself cheering along getting caught in the excitement as well.

Don’t let me forget about the Bosnian fans, though clearly outnumbered by the Mexican fans, I give them props for having full sections covered completely in blue and cheering just as loud as the Mexican fans.

I also have to give Georgia more credit. I expected a lot of people to be at the game, but not as much as I saw. The stadium was packed like it was a Falcons game…maybe a little more

The game was awesomely charged, both sides playing to win, powered by the voices of their fans screaming their support. As the gap between Mexico and Bosnia got wider, the Bosnian fans got more frustrated tossing more streamers and toilet paper at the teams. Bosnian players feeding off of their fans, their frustration was seen as a great deal of pushing and shoving when the ball was or WASN’T in play started to shadow the field.

The first goal for the Mexican side was made by Manchester United striker number 14 Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez, [who’s name was chanted through out the night until he was subbed out] on a penalty kick. The second goal for Mexico was scored beautifully from Atlas F.C’s Pacheco making this his first international goal.

Nearing the end of the night, the game took a more cheerful approach as the players came at the game from a more playful attitude. A Bosnian fan that decided to streak the field, was defiantly was a mood lightener for the Bosnian players as he ran up and down the field attempting to hug the goalie, who preceded to chase him away. Eventually the fan was captured and tugged away, and the game resumed on a different lighter note.

The ending score for the night was Mexico 2-0 Bosnia. Big congrats to El Tri on their win.

Upcoming Games: March 26 2011, Bosnia plays Romania and Mexico plays Paraguay!

Mexico Announces Roster

Scott — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 13:30:15 +0000

Mexico recently announced their roster for the match coming up on Wednesday, February 9th at 8 pm in the Georgia Dome. This match against Bosnia-Herzegovina will kick off the Mexican National Teams U.S. Tour. Prior to the match you can attend the Futbol Fiesta, a free interactive fan zone, from 4 – 8 PM held at the Georgia World Congress Center, Hall C1. Tickets for the game are still available through Ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet.

MEXICO ROSTER

Goalkeepers: Jesús Corona (Cruz Azul/MEX), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca/MEX)

Defenders: Carlos Salcido (Fulham/ENG), Héctor Moreno (AZ Alkmaar/NED), Francisco Javier Rodríguez (PSV Eindhoven/NED), Paúl Aguilar (Pachuca/MEX), Iván Estrada (Santos Laguna/MEX), Edgar Dueñas (Toluca/MEX), Jonny Magallón (CD Guadalajara/MEX), Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres/MEX).

Midfielders: Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul/MEX), Israel Castro (UNAM/MEX), Jesús Zavala (Monterrey/MEX), Antonio Naelson Sinha (Toluca, MEX), Luis Pérez (Monterrey/MEX).

Forwards: Javier Hernández (Manchester United/ENG), Giovanni dos Santos (Racing de Santander/SPA), Pablo Barrera (West Ham United/ENG), Edgar Pacheco (Atlas/MEX), Néstor Calderón (Toluca/MEX), José María Cárdenas (Santos Laguna/MEX), Aldo de Nigris (Monterrey/MEX).

Head Coach: José Manuel de la Torre

Club America v Manchester City

Scott — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:01:38 +0000

I’ll be attempting my first Cover It Live event tonight as Club America takes on Manchester City from the Georgia Dome. It should be a great event and will hopefully continue to elevate the city of Atlanta in the eyes of the soccer world.

Aaron International Soccer Challenge

Don’t expect anything fancy. Really just looking to avoid a massive fail!

Aaron’s Soccer Challenge

Scott — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 05:18:02 +0000

The Atlanta International Soccer Challenge now has a title sponsor. Aaron’s has signed a multi-year agreement to be the title sponsor. This should help secure this event in Atlanta for years to come. Other encouraging news is the game has been picked up by ESPN DEPORTES.

Roberto Mancini and Manchester City just agreed to terms with Valencia to sign David Silva. Yaya Toure and James Milner are also rumored to be on their way to City. It should be a great game and hopefully we get to see a glimpse of those players who went deep into the World Cup. After all, South Africa was just a warm-up. Check out the commercial below for the challenge.

The Aaron’s International Soccer Challenge will be Wednesday, July 28th 2010 at 8:00 pm in the Georgia Dome. Do you think attendance will be higher for this game then the ones last summer in Atlanta? Who do you think will win and by what scoreline?

World Cup may be coming to Atlanta!

Scott — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:23:06 +0000

Almost a year ago exactly I started to wonder if Atlanta could be part of the US World Cup bidas FIFA began accepting submissions for the 2018/2022 World Cups. There was also a lot of conversations going on about the Falcons getting a new home around that same time. I sold the current GA Dome short on their ability to host international soccer prior to our Summer of Soccer. Regardless of that success I still hope we have an upgrade in 8 to 12 years. Hopefully with at least a retractable roof Mr. Blank.

Atlanta has done a lot to impress the US Bid Committee recently and the World with the Olympics in 1996. Check out Wendy Parker’s article at Atlanta Soccer News for more insight into some of the things involved in helping secure this opportunity. I guess now we’ll have to wait till FIFA makes there announcement in December on who gets the rights to host the 2018 & 2022 World Cups. If the US is awarded the World Cup we may also find out if the number of stadiums gets reduced to the 9-12 as required by FIFA or the 14 the US Bid Committee would like to use for the games.

I didn’t make the World Cup last go around but there’s no way I’ll miss it this time. How about you? Did you go in 1994? How far would you go to see a game if it wasn’t in your home town?

#1: World Cup Coming to Atlanta?

Scott — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:30:17 +0000

Update: Atlanta is still in the hunt along with 36 other US cities bidding to host the World Cup in 2018/2022. I picked this as my favorite post from the previous blog because it was written prior to the summer of soccer & the dwindling of the bidding cities/stadiums. And it’s still ongoing! More to come on that soon.

Originally posted 1/22/09: FIFA has now started accepting bids for the 2018 & 2022 World Cups. The US is among 10 countries that are expected to submit bids prior to the February 2nd deadline. Part of that bid must include plans for 12 stadiums that hold 40,000 people. Last May Sunil Gulati, President of the US Soccer Federation, awed the European press when he told them…

“We have got 50 stadia of 70,000 capacities capable of hosting the World Cup. We could have hosted the competition in 1998 in stadiums that didn’t even exist in 1994, and the same goes for 2002 and not use any stadiums that existed in 1998″

You can’t help but love that. And with addition of New Yorks Jets/Giants stadium and the Dallas Cowboys new $1.3 Billion masterpiece being ready by the end of this year there are several additional facilities to add to that list.

Now comes the good part. Although the Georgia Dome can configure to hold a 70×110 yds soccer field it is by no means an ideal site. In fact if may not even exist by the time the 2018 world cup rolls around. Currently there are at least 2 proposals for new stadiums to be the home of the Atlanta Falcons. Sembler Co. is considering the Doraville GM site and the Georgia World Congress Center that owns the current Dome is proposing a few different options for a new stadium. Currently the Falcons are under lease to play at the Georgia Dome until either the bonds are paid off OR the year 2020. The bonds could be paid off as early as 2015 but it should give some hope to a new stadium being build right in time for either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

What do you think? Did you make the 1994 World Cup in America?