Tyler Serritt | 

The Georgia Bulldogs (2-1) took down the Mercer Bears (1-1-1) 3-0 Friday in front of a crowd of over 1,700 in their first home game of the 2013 season. 

UGA wasted no time in this game, peppering the Bears with an early offensive onslaught that included a few different breakaways that resulted in nine first half shots that challenged the Mercer defense. 

Georgia finally capitalized on a chance when true freshman forward Marion Crowder used excellent footwork and ball control to lead a breakaway. She pulled up herself 18 yards out and netted the first goal of her UGA career in the 27th minute.

“It’s a feeling you can’t beat; your first collegiate goal as a freshman," Crowder said. "It was a great opportunity. I saw the opportunity and buried it. It’s great to play for such a great team and to score for them is so awesome. I am excited about it.”

Georgia kept its foot on the gas in the second half. Nicole Locandro made the score 2-0l by nailing a penalty kick in the 51st minute after a Georgia player was taken down in the box. 

Rachel Garcia then hit a header, assisted by Madeline Barker, past the goalie in the 69th to give the Bulldogs a 3-0 advantage. 

“I thought it was a great team effort," head coach Steve Holeman said. "We spent a lot of time in their half. We were definitely better at set pieces this game.”

Even with all of the offensive efficiency, most of the praise seemed to be focused on the Georgia back line, which constantly maintained pressure and held the Bears to an three shots the entire game. 

“We defended a lot better," Holeman said. "We really worked on that this week. As we progress the we will face different types of teams that play different different styles. I thought our defensive press, our ability to press the ball was great. Our ability to press in the midfield was good too.”

“Defending as a team and using team pressure, that is what we got better at this game,” Crowder said. 

Georgia hopes to keep applying the pressure as it welcomes Furman to Athens on Sunday at 2 p.m. 

1:02 PM

Mercer Men’s Soccer Opens 2013 Season at Clemson

MACON, Georgia (MERCER ATHLETICS) - The Mercer men's soccer team opens the 2013 season on Friday, Aug. 30 when it travels to the Palmetto State to take on ACC member Clemson at 7 p.m. on Historic Riggs Field.

Mercer is 0-3-2 in season openers under sixth-year head coach Brad Ruzzo, most recently dropping a 2-1 decision at No. 20 UAB to begin the 2012 campaign.

Clemson and Mercer will renew an all-time series on Friday night that has been dormant since 1997 when the Tigers earned a 2-0 home win over the Bears.

Scouting the Opposition

Clemson enters 2013 brimming with confidence after a pair of convincing exhibition match victories over Wofford and No. 13 Coastal Carolina over the past two weeks. The Tigers were picked to finish sixth in the 2013 ACC Preseason Coaches' poll after returning nine starters back from last year's squad. Clemson finished 2012 ranked No. 60 in the RPI while tallying a 6-9-5 overall record and a 3-2-4 ACC mark for its best league finish since 2001.

Last Time Out

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Mercer men's soccer team saw its first live in-game action of the 2013 campaign in a 1-0 exhibition loss to South Carolina on Aug. 18 at Stone Stadium.

Junior Greg Ranjitsingh played all 90 minutes in net for the Bears and made eight saves in the contest.

Sophomore forward Jason Sayers led all Mercer players with three shots, including two on goal, in a losing effort.

Game Notes

- The Mercer men's soccer team was picked to finish third in the 2013 Atlantic Sun Conference Preseason Coaches' poll released by the conference office on August 14. The Bears did lead all A-Sun schools with four Preseason All-Conference members as seniors Joey Heavner, Ryan King and Ehjayson Henry and junior Greg Ranjitsingh were all selected to the squad.

- As 2013 begins, several Bears are at or near the top of the A-Sun Conference Men's Soccer Active Career Leaders List. Heavner leads all active players in the A-Sun with 17 career assists while Ranjitsingh leads all active netminders with 159 career saves and a 0.99 career goals against average.

- In a preseason list compiled by TopDrawerSoccer.com, five Mercer players were ranked among the Top-20 Players to Watch in the Atlantic Sun Conference this upcoming 2013 season. Ranjitsingh (No. 5) was the highest ranked of the bunch followed by Henry (No. 7), junior Ashani Samuels (No. 9), Heavner (No. 10) and King (No. 13).

8:17 AM

Group A: Manchester United, Shakhtar Donetsk, Bayer Leverkusen, Real Sociedad

Group B: Real Madrid, Juventus, Galatasaray, Copenhagen

Group C: Benfica, PSG, Olympiakos, Anderlecht

Group D: Bayern Munich, CSKA Moscow, Manchester City, Viktoria Plzen

Group E: Chelsea, Schalke 04, FC Basel, Steaua Bucharest

Group F: Arsenal, Marseille, Borussia Dortmund, Napoli

Group G: Porto, Atletico Madrid, Zenit St. Petersburg, Austria Vienna

Group H: Barcelona, AC Milan, Ajax, Celtic

2:34 PM

Central Soccer Cup u9-u15 Boys and Girls One of the best complexes in the country! Elizabethtown, KY October 19-20, 2013 Click here to register Welcome to the Central Soccer Cup! This tournament is for teams looking for a great weekend filled with some highly competitive matches! To view more information about the tournament and to register, please visit the tournament website by clicking here. Don't miss this Tournament  . . . apply now if you haven't already done so!

8:47 AM

Contact: Jason Longshore 888.436.5833 Soccer In The Streets THE BLACK TIE SOCCER GAME, BENEFITING SOCCER IN THE STREETS, RETURNS TO GRADY STADIUM IN OCTOBER The 5th edition of the event will support youth empowerment and employability programming across metro Atlanta   Atlanta, Georgia, August 27- The Black Tie Soccer Game celebrates its fifth edition on Sunday, October 6 from 1:30 to 6 p.m. The annual tongue-in-cheek fundraiser, benefiting Soccer in the Streets, returns to Midtown Atlanta's historic Grady Stadium. Four teams, dressed in their "finest" tuxedos and ball gowns, will be competing to win both the tournament and the coveted "Best Dressed" award. Teams will also be competing to raise the most money for the kids and programs of Soccer in the Streets. The organization empowers underserved youth through soccer, character development, mentoring, and employability programs. In the past year, over sixty current participants or graduates have received paid employment experience as coaches, referees, event staff, and administrators with Soccer in the Streets. Following the entertaining matches, attendees walk right across the street to Park Tavern in Piedmont Park where they can mix and mingle with the players, enjoy a delicious fare off the menu, cocktails, a silent auction, and much more. Tickets to the event at Grady Stadium are $5 and will be available online at www.blacktiesoccergame.com. The after-party at Park Tavern is free to attend. WHAT:  Soccer in the Streets Presents the Fifth Annual Black Tie Soccer Game WHEN:  October 6, 2013 TIMES: Gates open at Grady High School's stadium at 1:00p.m. Matches are from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Official After-Party at Park Tavern is from 4 to 6 p.m. GAMES: Grady High School Stadium Monroe Drive NE & 10th Street Atlanta, GA 30308 PARTY:  Park Tavern 500 10th Street NE Atlanta, GA 30308 www.parktavern.com COST: $5 for adults and children. Tickets can be purchased online at www.blacktiesoccergame.com About Soccer in the Streets: Soccer in the Streets, a non-profit organization based in Atlanta, GA, empowers underserved youth through soccer, character development, mentoring, and employability programs. With over two decades of experience in the field, our programs develop the next generation of leaders who will eventually cultivate change and progress in their communities.

7:01 PM

MACON, Ga. (Mercer Release)- The Mercer women's soccer team received a goal from sophomore Sarah Daane with just four seconds remaining in regulation to tie Georgia State 2-2 in its 2013 home opener on Sunday afternoon at Bear Field.

Down 2-1 with just seconds left in the game, Mercer earned a free kick from just outside and to the left of the 18-yard box. With time running out, the head referee stopped the clock to counteract Georgia State players who were holding the ball and trying to delay the action. When play resumed, Daane approached the ball and fired a right-footed shot that bounced right under Georgia State goalkeeper Brie Haynes to tie the game at 2-2 with just two seconds remaining in regulation.

Mercer (1-0-1) held a commanding 29-11 edge in shots in the contest, including an 11-6 advantage in shots on goal. In just two games this season, the Bears have racked up an amazing 64 combined shots.

Georgia State (0-0-1) jumped on the board first in the fourth minute of play when junior Whitney Ravan volleyed home a crossing pass past Mercer goalkeeper Maggie Cropp to take an early 1-0 lead.

The Bears rallied with a response just minutes later when junior Lauren Gassie sent in a corner kick that classmate Tess Patton headed home in the 14th minute of play to tie things up at 1-1.

Coming out of halftime, the Panthers re-took the lead in the 57th minute when Ravan crossed a ball that junior Nikki Fedele headed into the back of the net to make the score 2-1.

Mercer dominated the remainder of the second half as it frantically was chasing a tying goal, out-shooting Georgia State by a huge 13-3 margin before Daane's last-second equalizer.

Cropp made four saves in the game for Mercer while Haynes made nine stops in the contest for Georgia State.

After playing games in back-to-back days, Mercer will enjoy four days off before traveling to Athens to take on in-state rival Georgia on Aug. 30. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at the UGA Soccer Stadium.

8:25 AM

NHS Dismisses Girls' Head Soccer Coach

Judas Kinchen was immediately let go from his duties as head coach.

Posted by Joy L. Woodson

Stay with Patch for news affecting Norcross High School.

Norcross High School officials announced this week that it is going in another direction with its girls' soccer team, and released the current head coach from his duties.

According to Gwinnett Daily Post, the announcement came Monday for head coach Judas Kinchen, who was immediately let go. He will, however, remain on as a health and physical education teacher.

Officials are working on finding a replacement head coach. 

6:24 AM

The 2013 season may or may not be the last in the Southern Conference for Georgia Southern’s men’s soccer program.
    According to head coach Kevin Kennedy, it’s a certainty that it will be GSU’s best shot at a SoCon title, regardless of where the program ends up in the future. 
    “This is probably the team that I’ve been most excited about,” said Kennedy, whose Eagles finished third in the league each of the last two seasons. “We return a lot of experience and we return some great leadership from the upperclassmen. We’ve basically got 10 starters coming back from last year, so hopefully they can get over that hump.”
    In 2014, Georgia Southern will join the Sun Belt Conference, but the league doesn’t play men’s soccer, leaving Kennedy’s program looking for another home. The future home is still up in the air. 
    “The questions about what it means for us, the team asked a lot of those back in April and May of last year, after the Sun Belt announcement made,” Kennedy said. “I told them that as information was made available, I’d talk to them. But to be honest it hasn't even been brought up in the preseason.”
    It will definitely be the last shot at a SoCon title for seniors Hunter Norton, Thomas Valikonis, Neal Bates, Roberto Lopez and Witt Carlisle, who enter the season with a chip on their shoulder.  
    “All they’ve talked about is winning a Southern Conference championship since they got on campus,” Kennedy said. “It’ll certainly be their last year to do it, and maybe everybody else’s.”
    The Eagles (6-12-1, 3-3-1 Southern Conference in 2012) made it to the semifinals of the SoCon tournament last season before losing to No. 23 Elon.
    Adding to GSU’s fire power is Kennedy’s first transfer, junior-college All American Josh Ward, who was the team captain at Jefferson College. Kennedy sees Ward contributing to the defense early.
    “He’s just a big, 6-foot-1, 185-pound center back who shows a lot of leadership,” Kennedy said.
    With all the leadership out on the field, there will be a battle in front of the net. Keeper Jack Falle, now a sophomore, started the 2012, but then-junior Neal Bates became the hot hand midway through the season and helped the Eagles win five of their last seven games.
    Chris Katt, the longest of the keepers at 6-foot-5, 195-pounds, redshirted in 2012 and will be in the mix, too.
    “That battle’s going to be wide open,” Kennedy said.
    Drew Ruggles, who was a second-team, All-SoCon performer in 2012, and joined the football team two days before the Football Championship Subdivision semifinals to try to help the team’s struggling kicking game, will be academically ineligible this season. 
    Norton the other Eagle named to the 2012 All-SoCon second team.
    Reed Norton, Hunter’s brother, along with Rocco Bagley and Eric Dinka, were named to the SoCon All-Freshman team last year.
    Some big names will be absent from the pitch in the SoCon this year, including Elon’s Chris Thomas, the nation’s leading scorer, and Furman’s Walker Zimmerman, who was selected in the first round of the Major League Soccer draft by FC Dallas.
    “Some of the usual suspects have lost some key players,” Kennedy said, “but we’ll see.”
    Because College of Charleston left the SoCon to join the Colonial Athletic Association, there will be only seven teams in the league, and the regular-season champion will receive a bye to the semifinals of the tournament.
    Georgia Southern will scrimmage North Florida on Saturday. Central Florida will host the Eagles on Aug. 24, and the regular season will begin on Aug. 30, at home against Winthrop at 7:30 p.m., as a part of the SoCon/Big South Challenge.

10:06 AM

Georgia soccer posts 9-0 rout of The Citadel in exhibition

The Georgia soccer team got four goals from freshmen in the Bulldogs’ 9-0 exhibition scrimmage win over The Citadel on Friday night at the UGA Soccer Stadium.

Though it was an exhibition, it still marked Georgia’s highest scoring output in a game since the team scored 11 vs. South Alabama in 1999.

Georgia took a 6-0 lead into halftime and finished with three more in the second half for the nine-goal victory. Freshman Rachel Garcia and senior Madeline Barker led the way offensively with two goals apiece, while rookies Marion Crowder and Lauren Tanner and sophomores Andie Fontanetta, Emma Sonnett, and Bria Washington each had one. Goalkeepers Caitlin Woody and Jill Maloney combined for the shutout in goal. Freshman Gabby Seiler had two assists.

Georgia opens the regular season on the road Aug. 23, taking on Texas at 8 p.m. in Austin. The Bulldogs will then head to meet Houston at 2 p.m. Aug. 25
.

10:05 AM

IMPORTANT UPDATE (8/16/13 - 11:45 PM):

Due to weather and field closures, the 2013 AFC/AFU Challenge Cup is officially cancelled. That means all divisions, BOYS and GIRLS.

ALL venues - McCurry, BSC, Scott Hudgens, George Pierce Park and Bunten Road are all officially closed. There was an attempt to keep fields open but the off and on again showers closed the parks.

Tournament committee will be meeting on Monday to discuss possible refund and discount options. Final decisions will be announced no later than Tuesday, August 20th.

As said, we made every attempt to keep all venues open but with the current off and on again weather and the incoming storms, it was just not possible. 

10:00 AM

The Alabama soccer team will travel to Atlanta, Ga., where it meets the Clemson Tigers for an exhibition game on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. CT).

The contest, which will be played at Emory University, is free to the public.

The Crimson Tide returns eight starters and 12 letterwinners off last season's squad, which includes its top six goal-scorers from a year ago. In fact, the returning players combined to score 34 of the team's 37 goals and totaled 91 of the 109 total points in 2012.

Following Saturday's exhibition match, Alabama opens the 2013 regular season with a road contest at Wake Forest on Aug. 25 noon CT (1 p.m. ET). The first home games will be played on Aug. 30 vs. Georgia State and Sept. 1 vs. Mercer. Both of those contests will begin at 7 p.m. at the Alabama Soccer Complex.

2:41 PM

CSU picked to win PBC women's soccer title

  

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Columbus State University women's soccer team was selected as the preseason team to beat in the Peach Belt Conference as the league announced its annual poll. The poll was voted upon by the league's head coaches while each coach was not permitted to rank their own teams. 

It is the sixth time in program history that the Lady Cougars have been chosen as the preseason favorites, the most in PBC history. 

Two-time defending PBC Tournament and regular-season champions Armstrong Atlantic State University finished just two points behind CSU in the poll earning the second position. North Georgia, Clayton State and Lander rounded out the top-five. 

Columbus State is coming off another impressive campaign compiling an 18-3-2 overall record and reaching the NCAA Tournament for the seventh consecutive season.  The Lady Cougars also reached the PBC Tournament finals for the seventh time in the past eight seasons. 

In 2013, CSU returns 13 players including All-Southeast Region defender Shelby Rolling. Forwards Chelsea Person and Kelsey Pelletier also return for head coach Jay Entlich. Person and Pelletier scored four and three goals last year, respectively. Also, defender Blakely Heideman returns for her sophomore campaign.  

Earlier in the week, Columbus State was ranked 13th in the nation in the NSCAA/Continental Tire preseason poll. 

Columbus State will open the season in the loaded opening weekend tournament hosted by Armstrong. The Lady Cougars will begin the season on September 6 facing off against top-ranked West Florida and will take on second-ranked Grand Valley on September 8

8:34 AM

Mercer Men's Soccer Picked to Finish 3rd in A-Sun Preseason Poll

MACON, Georgia (MERCER ATHLETICS) -  Despite having a league-high four players named to the Preseason All-Atlantic Sun Team, the Mercer men's soccer team was picked to finish third in the 2013 Atlantic Sun Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll released by the conference office on Wednesday afternoon.

Even though Mercer is coming off its second A-Sun Championship title game appearance in the last four seasons and return seven starters from its 2012 squad, the Bears were picked third finishing just three points shy of second-place East Tennessee State.

Florida Gulf Coast, who defeated Mercer in the A-Sun Tournament title game last season, was once again picked to win the conference according to the leagues' nine head coaches.

Mercer did earn high praise when it came to selecting a Preseason All-Atlantic Sun Team, however, as seniors Joey Heavner, Ryan King and Ehjayson Henry and junior Greg Ranjitsingh were all selected to the squad.

Ranjitsingh was tabbed as the A-Sun Conference Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year after a dominant sophomore campaign. The Pickering, Ontario native posted an 11-7-2 record in 2012 while leading the A-Sun with a 0.87 goals against average, .838 save percentage and 93 saves. Ranjitsingh has 14 shutouts to his credit this far in his career and is just one shutout away from breaking the all-time Mercer record and nine clean sheets shy of setting a new A-Sun Conference record for most career shutouts.

Heavner returns to the pitch following a season-ending knee injury seven games into his senior campaign. The talented outside back had seven points on one goal and five assists last season before his injury and enters 2013 as the active leader in the A-Sun Conference with his 17 career helpers.

King had a breakout junior season tallying a career-best 12 points on two goals and eight assists. An A-Sun All-Conference second team and A-Sun Conference All-Academic team selection last season, King enters 2013 with 27 career points, which ranks second on the A-Sun Conference Active Career Leaders list.

Henry continues to prove his worth as an offensive force on the top of Coach Ruzzo's attacking unit. The Harris Village, Saint Kitts product led the Bears with 14 points on the strength of five goals and four assists and was rewarded by being named to the A-Sun All-Conference first team.

Mercer is in the midst of a five-day training camp in Jekyll Island before taking on South Carolina in a road exhibition match on August 18. The Bears open their 2013 regular season at ACC member Clemson on August 30 at 7:00 p.m.

9:18 AM

North Georgia women's soccer picked 16th in preseason poll

By staff

DAHLONEGA -- The National Soccer Coaches Association of America has released the 2013 NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division II women's preseason poll with the University of North Georgia settling in at 16th on the preseason ledger.

The University of West Florida garnered the top spot while fellow Peach Belt foe Armstrong Atlantic State University landed fifth in the initial rankings. Columbus State University was the third Peach Belt Conference school in the rankings at 13th.

UNG is on the heels of its second consecutive NCAA Division II post-season appearance after tallying a 15-5-2 ledger in 2012 which landed the squad at 24th in the final NSCAA poll. The Nighthawks return 12 letter-winners off last year's squad including seven starters.

"The preseason ranking is an honor and is a culmination of our successes from previous years," stated head coach Chris Adams. "We are proud of the preseason recognition but look forward to anchoring a spot in the poll at season's end."

The Nighthawks will open season on September 6th with a neutral site match against Florida Institute of Technology. Kickoff is set for 5:00 at Valdosta State University.

8:33 AM

Click on the banner to visit the site

Impact Premier Cup
November 23-24, 2013
Canton, GA (Atlanta)
Click here to register

3:32 PM

UWG soccer picked 6th in GSC

The University of West Georgia women’s soccer team, fresh off of its first postseason victory in school history, was voted to finish sixth by the Gulf South Conference coaches in the annual GSC Preseason Poll.

First-year UWG head coach Chris Davidovicz is one of two new coaches in the league this year, joining former Lee assistant Chris Walker, who is the new coach at North Alabama. He takes the reins of a team that finished sixth in the league last season and reached the GSC Tournament for the first time since 2008, beating Valdosta State in overtime for the first postseason win in program history.

Defending national champion West Florida was picked to finish first, followed by Valdosta State in second and 2012 GSC runner-up North Alabama in third. Alabama-Huntsville was selected fourth, followed by West Alabama and West Georgia in the fifth and sixth spots, respectively. Christian Brothers and Delta State were picked seventh and eighth to round out the poll.

Also counting as league matches for the second straight year will be Shorter and Union, but the two schools are still provisional members and will not be eligible for polls and All-GSC consideration until 2014.

West Georgia has two exhibition matches, taking on Georgia Southwestern on the road on Aug. 23 and Darton at home on Aug. 29. The Wolves’ season opener is set for Thursday, Sept. 5, at Nova Southeastern.

The Wolves feature a pair of local standouts from Central High School in sisters Ashlynn Deese and AnnaLeah Deese.

6:32 AM

Click on the banner to visit the site 2013 Under Armour Boys Bash in the Boro Richard Siegel Soccer Complex Murfreesboro, Tennessee October 25th-27th Click here to register

5:07 PM

ATLANTA SILVERBACKS 1, CAROLINA RAILHAWKS 1
ATLANTA---The Atlanta Silverbacks and Carolina RailHawks battled to a 1-1 draw at Silverbacks Park Saturday night.

The usually deadly RailHawks striker Brian Shriver saw a ninth minute penalty kick saved by Silverbacks goalkeeper Joe Nasco, bringing the Atlanta crowd to their feet. Later in the half, Silverbacks forward Pedro Mendes took a pass from midfielder Borfor Carr and buried an 18-yard shot past RailHawks goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald to give his team a first-half lead.

But the RailHawks fought back and 19 minutes from time, defender Kupono Low headed home a Ty Shipalane corner to take home a point.

8:23 AM

Find the joy predicting the EPL scores in Atlanta Soccer News local predict the score contest. You are invited to play in this years league.

·         Here the deal: You pick the scores of each EPL game for each week. You pick the top 5 scorers for that week. You earn points.

·         Time: takes 5 minutes a week.

·         Extras: We will have weekly playing/drinking/discussion  events at fields and strategically located pubs. Mostly in Cobb/Fulton County. Weekly winners will be honored and will earn a beer.

·       Cost: FREE

·         All you need to do to join your league is:
1. Register at http://predictthescore.net
2. Log in
3. Select 'Mini Leagues' from the 'My Account' menu
4. Enter the code below

Mini League Name:

Access Code: 110954220

Atlanta Soccer News

Winner will be honored at an all-expenses paid  party dedicated to his triumph…a trophy and a cool shirt. Best of all you will be recognized as the supreme soccer sage in Atlanta for that year.

If you know of someone else who may want to join, please forward this letter.

Last years winner and this summer's winner was Mark Stevens aka Markaroni....take the challenge to know him down.

We had over 25 players last year consisting of many local personalities. 

6:09 AM

NBC Takeover of English Premier League Coverage Could Mean Big Business for Soccer Bars Locally

• 
  Photo: PRWeb

Fado Irish Pub In Buckhead starts 2013-2014 EPL season with 7am soccer party and Trip Giveaway.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) August 08, 2013

With NBC preparing to show extensive coverage of the English Premier League for the first time ever, soccer bars anticipate even more U.S. fans showing up in a big way. From the huge Billboard in Times Square to the hilarious Jason Sudeikis spoof as a Tottenham F.C. manager going viral, word is getting out that soccer fans now have a major network broadcasting “American’s 5th-favorite sport”. Ratings have been on the rise for the past 2 years on ESPN and Fox, but the recent Gold Cup final drew the highest overnight rating for a soccer match in 2013 on any network and FOX's second-highest overnight rating for a soccer match ever. American sports fans see the NBC takeover as the biggest indication that the American soccer fan is worth the investment. Soccer bars around the city already know this of course and, on Saturday August 17, Fado Irish Pub in Buckhead will open its doors at 7am to celebrate the launch of the 2014 Premiership season, anticipating 150+ fans by mid-morning.

Fado Irish Pub in Buckhead is a top soccer bar in Atlanta, the winner of numerous ”best of” awards, and since 1996 soccer fans in Atlanta have called it headquarters. To be the best soccer bar in the city requires a few key ingredients but the most important being the fans who make up the various supporters clubs of the biggest teams in the world. Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspurs rank among the most popular teams in the EPL and for over 40 weeks out of a year, their local supporters clubs in Atlanta (made up of 100+ members each) make the weekly pilgrimage to the pub on game day.

“This is an important year for soccer fans,” explains David Herman, Director of Marketing for ONE UNITED USA, the Manchester United Membership and Supporters Club of America. “For years, soccer fans have known that they could come to Fado to catch an EPL game and that they would be sitting amongst 200 other passionate club supporters. We hope that the NBC take over this year finally legitimizes soccer as a top sport in America”.

Opening weekend fixtures line up all the top teams from the Premiership starting with Liverpool at 7:45 am and Manchester United and Arsenal matches at 10 am. Fans can expect the veteran staff at Fado are prepared to accommodate the live coverage and UK kick-off times with plenty of coffee, hot food and cold beer all morning long. The launch party festivities include giveaways, a free breakfast buffet and a chance to win a trip to watch the FA Cup Final at another Fado location next spring.

For more information, contact Ellen Peacock at epeacock(at)fadoirishpub(dot)com or 404-455-5940.

Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant, located at 273 Buckhead Ave in Atlanta, is a favorite of International, US, and MLS soccer fans. Fadó is a proud member of the Official US Soccer Bar program and is the city's go-to spot for English Premier League, USA Men's, Champions League, La Liga, Serie A, Scottish Premier League, World Cup and much more.

For more information go to http://www.fadoirishpub.com/atlanta/sports. 

For the original version on PRWeb visit
:

7:03 AM

Click on the banner to visit the site The application deadline is fast approaching. We would like to invite you to register your team today and make this tournament your Labor Day Weekend Soccer Destination. Endless Summer Soccer Tournament powered by Futskilz Soccer Training Panama City Beach, Florida Labor Day Weekend August 31 - September 1, 2013 Click here to register Entry Deadline: August 10th The Endless Summer Soccer Tournament is attracting teams from across the Southeast including teams from Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida.  Divisions for U9-U18 boys and girls are still accepting teams. We would love for your team to join us for a great weekend filled with competitive matches! All games will be played at one location, Frank Brown Park, on Panama City Beach, Florida.  To view more information about the tournament and to register, please visit the tournament website by clicking here. bayunitedsoccer@gmail.com

7:14 AM

Click on the banner to visit the site BEAT the HEAT Soccer Showcase Destin, Florida August 17 & 18, 2013 Click here to register The Beat the Heat is just around the corner. We still need a few teams in the U16 and below divisions. Deadline for registration is being extended to Friday, August 9. If you have been waiting to register because the new season just started, please sign up before this Friday. ----------------------------------------------------- Your team is invited to apply to the Beat the Heat Soccer Showcase presented by Real Athletic Development - Football Club (RAD-FC). This event will take place on August 17 & 18, 2013 on the Emerald Coast in beautiful Destin, Florida. There's no better way to start the new season by taking a trip to the coast and enjoying a fun weekend of soccer.  To view more information about the tournament and to register, please visit the tournament website by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------- TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHT Real Athletic Development (RAD) is pleased to announce the addition of an exhibition match between NCAA division 1 college, University of Central Arkansas (UCA), and University of Mobile (UM) to the Beat the Heat Soccer Showcase presented by RAD on August 17 & 18 in Destin, Florida. “We are very excited to be a part of Beat the Heat,” says UCA assistant soccer coach Ryan Webb. “To play in front of competitive youth soccer teams from across the southeast is something we hope will inspire the future stars of our sport. “ In addition to training at Destin’s Morgan Sports Complex in the days leading up to the exhibition match, the coaching staff will be scouting top talent at the Beat the Heat tournament. “The southeast is known for having amazing young athletes. We are always looking for top tier talent to be a part of our program,” says Webb. “Scouting these type of showcase tournaments is part of what we do at UCA. It’s also a great way for us to reach outside our state and do some real networking with coaches and players.” The Beat the Heat Soccer Showcase is expected to draw top level competitive soccer teams in the U8 to U18 divisions from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina, as well as central and south Florida. The event will kick off Friday night, August 16, 2013 with team check-in and coaches networking event at Fudpucker's Beachside Bar & Grill. Games begin Saturday and continue with champions crowned on Sunday afternoon.

7:02 AM