Atlanta Soccer » Summer of Soccer http://atlantasoccerblog.com In the midst of a resurgence Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:42:13 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Atlanta Soccer: In the midst of a resurgence http://atlantasoccerblog.com/2010/01/atlanta-soccer-in-the-midst-of-a-resurgence/ http://atlantasoccerblog.com/2010/01/atlanta-soccer-in-the-midst-of-a-resurgence/#comments Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:39:36 +0000 Scott http://atlantasoccerblog.com/?p=50 In Greek mythology after a long life the phoenix would erupt into flames and out of the ashes a young phoenix would arise.  It’s easy to see why after General Sherman burnt Atlanta to the ground the city would adopt that symbol and the motto “Resurgens” meaning Rising Again.

Soccer in Atlanta has a [...]]]> In Greek mythology after a long life the phoenix would erupt into flames and out of the ashes a young phoenix would arise.  It’s easy to see why after General Sherman burnt Atlanta to the ground the city would adopt that symbol and the motto “Resurgens” meaning Rising Again.

Soccer in Atlanta has a long history as well.  Unlike the phoenix there has never been a long life to any of the teams or leagues.  From the inception of the original NASL back in 1968, when the Atlanta Chiefs won the first championship, to the new proposed NASL.   From the coming and going of the Beat to their rebirth that is still in process. Yet here we are once again in the midst of a resurgence.

This time last year we were reeling from word by the Silverbacks organization that the men’s team would sit out the 2009 season.   In December of 2008 came the crushing blow that Arthur Blank’s AMB Group had withdrawn their bid for a MLS franchise due to the economic conditions and lack of progress on the stadium front.  The only glimmer of hope for professional soccer was the letter of intent that Fitz Johnson had submitted to WPS.  Yet even that was under a cloud as the economy feel to a dept that not many expected and people wondered if the new women’s league would meet the same fate as the previous one.

Step forward a year and we still don’t have MLS and have started to accept the fact that we won’t for the next several years, if ever.  There are 2 potential teams that could play in the Men’s 2nd Division league.  However, at this point in the year it would be nearly impossible to put together a team that could play, much less compete, in 2010.  Unless it’s a necessity to meet USSF regulations I seriously doubt a team will be fielded.

But 2009 did have some highlights that can’t go unmentioned.   We had an outstanding summer of soccer with the likes of AC Milan, Club America, Mexico, and the Venezuelan National Team playing at the Georgia Dome.  We had the Beat begin to put together a young, talented team.  The Beat also announced a partnership with Kennesaw State University who is building a women’s soccer specific stadium.   

So, the Beat’s back. The Silverbacks are kinda back. The Blackhawks should be back.  The new USL team may arrive if the USL can make a comeback.  Who will stay?  Who will go? Only time will tell.  Let’s hope that as the rebirth of these teams takes place that they’ll be stronger and live longer than before.

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]]> http://atlantasoccerblog.com/2010/01/atlanta-soccer-in-the-midst-of-a-resurgence/feed/ 0 #1: World Cup Coming to Atlanta? http://atlantasoccerblog.com/2009/12/1-world-cup-coming-to-atlanta/ http://atlantasoccerblog.com/2009/12/1-world-cup-coming-to-atlanta/#comments Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:30:17 +0000 Scott http://atlantasoccerblog.com/?p=31 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. 

[...]]]> 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?

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