The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Twenty years ago, Garth Lagerwey and Darren Eales were teammates on the Hampton Roads Mariners soccer team.

Lagerwey was the goalie; Eales the striker.

Now, they are both running soccer teams.

Lagerwey is the general manager of Real Salt Lake. Eales was recently hired as the president of Atlanta’s MLS team, which will begin play in 2017.

“We were laughing the other day, who would have thought two knuckleheads would both wind up running soccer teams?” Lagerwey said. “It’s great to see his success and see him get a great opportunity.”

Eales hasn’t given his first interview since being hired by Arthur Blank to run his expansion MLS team. Lagerwey was able to fill in a few more of the blanks.

“He’s a really smart guy; Atlanta’s got a real winner,” Lagerwey said. “He’s as smart a guy I met at any time in my soccer path.”

Lagerwey would know. Not only were they teammates, but there were roommates, sharing a place in the house of the Mariners’ owner, about 20 minutes from the beach.

They also took Eales’ convertible on a cross-country trip to Lagerwey’s hometown of Chicago. If you don’t get to know somebody after being cooped up in a car with them, you’ll never get to know them.

Lagerwey said that Eales loves America. Eales and his wife, who is an American, are expecting twins. Lagerwey declined to share any stories from their time in Hampton Roads, or on that trip, joking they weren’t suitable for print.

But Lagerwey said Eales’ career path speaks for itself: Eales eventually left the U.S. to study law in his hometown of Cambridge, England. He passed the bar and eventually became general counsel at West Bromwich Albion, before joining Tottenham Hotspur. He has served as that club’s director since 2010, where he has helped oversee the rise of a club determined to maintain financial discipline while also fighting for a Premier League title.

“He will have a breadth of experiences that will prepare him well for the job,” Lagerwey said.

They have spoken many times in the past year, though Lagerwey said they didn’t discuss the job in Atlanta.

They did discuss how MLS operates, which is different than every other soccer league in the world, and will be obviously important for Eales to learn as he builds the Atlanta franchise and roster.

“He’s clever,” Lagerwey said. “He can think analytically. He’s able to look at all sides of an issue.”

MLS new logo

MLS unveiled its new logo last week.

The logo is shaped like a shield, with MLS and three stars in upper left corner, a slash that extends down the middle from the upper right to lower left, where it goes through the shield so that it appears like a tail, and an open space in the lower right corner.

The colors of the logo can be customized to fit every team in the league when worn on their jerseys.

The new logo got mixed reactions. Alexi Lalas and Brad Davis took to twitter to express their questions, including the timing.

Other have gone on satellite radio shows like Counter Attack to ask, “why the kickstand?” referring to the tail coming out of the shield.

Barring a change, this will be one of the logos on the jerseys worn by Atlanta’s team in MLS.

9:46 AM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5TH AT GRADY STADIUM

Join in the fun to support kids who need your help!

The 6th Annual Black Tie Soccer Game is almost upon us. We are so lucky to have a committed group of players who have been raising money for our programs that provide opportunities to empower underserved kids.

You can help them provide more programming to kids across the metro Atlanta area. We bring coaches and mentors to kids who need them, getting the kids active while also developing character and getting them ready to work. Our ultimate goal is for our graduates to be self-sufficient, contributing members of their community.

You can buy a ticket to come watch the game, make a pledge for your favorite player, or make a general donation to help bring soccer to more kids.

Great food at Grady Stadium!

Atlanta's first and finest food truck, Yumbii, will be on hand at the 6th Annual Black Tie Soccer Game! U.S. News & World Report and Yahoo! have called Yumbii one of America's most creative food trucks.

VIP ticket holders will have their lunch included as part of their ticket.

Great fun at Grady Stadium!

In addition to the Black Tie Soccer Game, kids will be able to play in their own arena thanks to Dragon Goal USA!

The Dragon Goal is new to the USA and a fun way for kids to play in an enclosed space and build their technical skills.

Check out a Dragon Goal in action from this summer's Soccerfest event.

9:11 AM

The top 100 clubs in the United States and Canada. Rankings are current as of September 22, 2014.

(For last month's rankings, see this article. For the methodology associated with these rankings,see this article.)

Rank	Full Name	League	Current Score	August Rank
1	Seattle Sounders	MLS	1527	1
2	LA Galaxy	MLS	1523	3
3	Real Salt Lake	MLS	1464	4
4	Portland Timbers	MLS	1445	6
5	FC Dallas	MLS	1437	5
6	New York Red Bulls	MLS	1435	9
7	Philadelphia Union	MLS	1418	8
8	Sporting Kansas City	MLS	1416	2
9	D.C. United	MLS	1405	11
10	New England Revolution	MLS	1393	17
11	Vancouver Whitecaps	MLS	1381	7
12	Chicago Fire	MLS	1377	10
13	Columbus Crew	MLS	1377	13
14	Houston Dynamo	MLS	1345	18
15	San Jose Earthquakes	MLS	1344	12
16	Orlando City	USL PRO	1333	14
17	Toronto FC	MLS	1312	15
18	Colorado Rapids	MLS	1305	16
19	NY Cosmos	NASL	1300	19
20	Minnesota United	NASL	1292	20
21	Montreal Impact	MLS	1258	26
22	Carolina RailHawks	NASL	1256	24
23	Tampa Bay Rowdies	NASL	1249	21
24	Richmond Kickers	USL PRO	1247	22
25	San Antonio Scorpions	NASL	1213	25
26	FC Edmonton	NASL	1210	28
27	Ottawa Fury	NASL	1204	31
28	Sacramento Republic	USL PRO	1196	29
29	Chivas USA	MLS	1190	23
30	Atlanta Silverbacks	NASL	1182	27
31	Harrisburg City Islanders	USL PRO	1180	33
32	Charleston Battery	USL PRO	1177	30
33	LA Galaxy II	USL PRO	1176	32
34	Fort Lauderdale Strikers	NASL	1163	34
35	Wilmington Hammerheads	USL PRO	1155	36
36	Charlotte Eagles	USL PRO	1141	35
37	Indy Eleven	NASL	1132	37
38	Rochester Rhinos	USL PRO	1126	41
39	Chicago Fire Res.	MLS Reserve	1113	40
40	Montreal Impact Res.	MLS Reserve	1112	38
41	Michigan Bucks	PDL	1110	39
42	Arizona United	USL PRO	1103	43
43	Seattle Sounders Res.	MLS Reserve	1098	48
44	Reading United	PDL	1097	44
45	Real Salt Lake Res.	MLS Reserve	1093	42
46	Kitsap Pumas	PDL	1091	46
47	New York RB Res.	MLS Reserve	1088	49
48	Colorado Rapids Res.	MLS Reserve	1088	54
49	Pittsburgh Riverhounds	USL PRO	1088	52
50	Jersey Express	PDL	1087	50
51	Austin Aztex	PDL	1086	51
52	OKC Energy	USL PRO	1082	47
53	FC Dallas Res.	MLS Reserve	1082	45
54	Thunder Bay Chill	PDL	1081	53
55	Des Moines Menace	PDL	1069	55
56	Laredo Heat	PDL	1068	56
57	Chivas USA Res.	MLS Reserve	1067	58
58	Ocala Stampede	PDL	1064	60
59	Forest City London	PDL	1062	61
60	Tucson	PDL	1062	62
61	Ventura County Fusion	PDL	1059	63
62	Carolina Dynamo	PDL	1053	64
63	Orange County Blues	USL PRO	1052	57
64	Victoria Highlanders	PDL	1050	65
65	Long Island Rough Riders	PDL	1049	66
66	Ocean City Nor'easters	PDL	1046	67
67	Dayton Dutch Lions	USL PRO	1043	59
68	Fresno Fuego	PDL	1038	68
69	Orlando City II	PDL	1035	69
70	Portland Timbers II	PDL	1034	70
71	Chicago Fire II	PDL	1022	71
72	Western Mass Pioneers	PDL	1020	72
73	Vancouver Whitecaps II	PDL	1015	73
74	West Virginia Chaos	PDL	1014	74
75	Orange County Blue Star	PDL	1013	75
76	Seattle Sounders II	PDL	1013	76
77	San Jose Earthquakes II	PDL	1010	77
78	Baltimore Bohemians	PDL	1010	78
79	CFC Azul	PDL	1005	79
80	Academy Bradenton	PDL	1005	80
81	Cincinnati Dutch Lions	PDL	1005	81
82	Mississippi Brilla	PDL	1004	82
83	Beach Pirates	PDL	1001	83
84	Montreal Impact II	PDL	1001	84
85	BYU Cougars	PDL	997	85
86	Los Angeles Misioneros	PDL	996	86
87	Albuquerque Sol	PDL	996	87
88	Seacoast United Phantoms	PDL	995	88
89	Las Vegas Mobsters	PDL	991	89
90	K-W United	PDL	991	90
91	SW Florida Adrenaline	PDL	990	91
92	Portland Phoenix	PDL	989	92
93	Northern Virginia Royals	PDL	986	93
94	Real Colorado Foxes	PDL	984	94
95	Lane United	PDL	984	95
96	Real Boston Rams	PDL	980	96
97	SWV King's Warriors	PDL	979	97
98	SC United Bantams	PDL	978	98
99	Midland / Odessa Sockers	PDL	975	99
100	Riverhounds II	PDL	974	100

8:51 AM

Sony Pictures ‘The 5th Wave’ Casting Call for Soccer Players in Atlanta

Project Casting ‘The 5th Wave’ Casting Call for female soccer players in Atlanta, Georgia Tammy Smith Casting is looking for soccer players to work on the upcoming feature film, The 5th Wave filming in Atlanta, Georgia. In the 5th Wave, four waves of increasingly deadly attacks have left most of Earth decimated.

More Info:

http://www.projectcasting.com/casting-calls-and-auditions/sony-pictures-the-5th-wave-casting-call-for-soccer-players-in-atlanta/

8:51 AM

Darren Eales was hired as president of MLS Atlanta on September 10, 2014

MLS Atlanta announces Darren Eales as club president

IN NEWS,PRESS RELEASE

ATLANTA, Sept 10, 2014 – MLS Atlanta today announced the appointment of Darren Eales as President of Major League Soccer’s 22nd team. He will join the club later this year, following a transition period with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club (THFC), a world-renowned English Premier League team.

A former Ivy League Player of the Year, NSCAA All-America and U.S. professional soccer player, British-born Eales currently serves as executive director at THFC. In this role, he touched on all major aspects of soccer operations, including the club’s overall soccer strategy, succession planning, player acquisitions, performance analysis, first team administration, player development, academy and medical supervision.

Eales helped to negotiate and execute all player transfers, including playing a key role in the 2013 world record transfer fee sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid. He was closely involved in three of the top six transfers involving MLS players (Robbie Keane, Clint Dempsey and Jermain Defoe) and recently helped to complete negotiations for the transfer of United States Men’s National Team and Seattle Sounders player DeAndre Yedlin to THFC. During Eales’ four-year tenure with THFC, the team qualified for European competition every season, reached the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League in 2011, and reached the quarterfinals of the UEFA Europa League in 2013.

Tottenham Hotspur FC Executive Darren Eales Was Hired as MLS Atlanta's President on September 10, 2014

“Soccer is a lifetime passion of mine, and to have the chance to come to Atlanta and build a club from the ground up is extremely exciting,” said Eales. “I’m going to have the rare experience of getting to know the fans from the outset, and I’m eager to engage them in the process, from naming the team to creating an incredible atmosphere at our matches. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to have the support of a respected owner in Arthur Blank and the chance to field a team in a brand new state-of-the-art facility. MLS is going from strength to strength, and really making its mark, so it’s a privilege to be part of its expansion. I’m looking forward to being a part of MLS Atlanta and helping to make this a great success story.”

Since Atlanta was awarded Major League Soccer’s 22nd team in April, excitement for the club’s arrival has been overwhelming. MLS Atlanta has already set records in fan participation, with more than 5,300 fans signed up for the Founders Club season ticket program resulting in over 15,500 seats reserved. With half of the new Atlanta stadium already filled, MLS Atlanta Owner Arthur Blank recently challenged soccer fans to fill the remaining 11,000 seats by the end of the year.

“We couldn’t be happier with Darren’s decision to join us as president of MLS Atlanta,” said club Owner Arthur Blank. “He brings a unique depth of experience to our organization, having played in the U.S. professionally and given his dealings with MLS as a club executive and legal counsel in the Premier League. His credentials speak for themselves; he knows how to lead a first-class organization and build a winning team.”

A barrister specializing in sports law, Eales has legal experience in a variety of areas from intellectual property and employment to contractual issues and dispute resolution. While at THFC, he served on numerous high-profile soccer governing bodies and panels across Europe and within England.

Prior to joining THFC in 2010, Eales served as in-house legal counsel, director and club secretary at West Bromwich Albion Football Club (WBA) for four years. WBA is recognized within the Premier League as a well-run and financially stable club. Eales also has extensive experience in new facility development and community involvement, having participated in the final planning stages for THFC’s state-of-the-art training ground, which opened in 2012. In his role as director, Eales sat on the Technical Board of THFC’s Academy, a leading developer of youth talent, which produced five full international players between 2012 and 2014. At WBA he served as chairman of the ground-breaking Sporting Club Albion, a multi-sport community club concept, incorporating both women’s and disability teams.

Raised by his father as a Chesterfield FC fan, Eales has been immersed in soccer all his life. After playing in the Academy at Cambridge United FC in England, he moved to the US on a soccer scholarship, spending one year at West Virginia University before transferring to Brown University. At Brown he went on to become Ivy League Player of the Year, NSCAA First-Team All-America, COSIDA Academic All-American of the Year and USA Today Student Athlete of the Year, before graduating with a degree in economics. In 2012, he was inducted into the Brown University Athletics Hall of Fame.

Following his university play, Eales remained in the US, playing for the Hampton Roads Mariners and Hershey Wildcats in the USISL, and the New York Centaurs in the A-League. When injuries cut short his professional playing career, he returned to England and earned an MA in Law at Cambridge University. In 2000 he qualified as a barrister, and then spent six years practicing law at 2 Temple Gardens Chambers in London, where he is still a door tenant.

Eales will be joined in Atlanta by his wife, Faith, and twins due to arrive in early 2015. His media availability will be determined in the coming weeks.

http://mlsatlanta2017.com/mls-atlanta-announces-darren-eales-as-club-president/

11:48 AM

Georgia soccer moves into national rankings

Erin O. Smith

Teammates congratulate Georgia forward Kelsey Killean (22) after she scored a goal during the Georgia vs. Houston women's soccer game on Friday, September 5, 2014, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 4-0. (Photo by Erin O. Smith, eosmit8@uga.edu)

Justin Hubbard

For the first time this season, the Georgia soccer team has entered the Soccer America poll at No. 25 in the country.

Gaining the national ranking caps off a huge weekend for Georgia (4-1-1, 0-0-1 Southeastern Conference).

Sophomore midfielder Gabby Seiler set a new record for most consecutive games with a score (five) in last Friday’s 4-0 win over Houston, while three other players scored their first career goals. The Bulldogs’ 1-0 defeat of No. 17 UCF was their biggest victory since knocking off then-No. 17 South Carolina a year ago.

Louise Hogrell, Georgia’s freshman goalkeeper, was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after securing those two shutouts.

Next up for the Bulldogs is a home matchup against Mercer at 7 p.m. Friday night. They will then travel to Furman for a 6 p.m. game Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina.

http://www.redandblack.com/sports/georgia-soccer-moves-into-national-rankings/article_e8434f96-383e-11e4-b98e-0017a43b2370.html

9:05 AM

North Georgia women's soccer caps strong opening weekend

DAHLONEGA -- The University of North Georgia women's soccer team (2-0-0) capped off their opening weekend with an impressive 4-1 victory over Lees-McRae College (0-1-0) Sunday afternoon at the UNG Soccer Complex.

After a 55-minute lightning delay just before kickoff, the Nighthawks got on the board first with junior Cicely Taliaferro scoring her second goal of the season in just the 14th minute of play on a ball from senior Megan Morrow. The Bobcats quickly answered though with Mikaela Renfro scoring the equalizer in the 18th minute.

North Georgia pulled away in the closing minutes of the first half. Freshman Jessi Vaverka scored her first career goal for the Blue and Gold on a well executed cross from junior Jordan Draughon in the 33rd minute.

Less than five minutes later, Taliaferro and Morrow hooked up again off a free kick to give UNG a two-goal advantage heading into the half.

The Nighthawks threatened to add a fourth goal on numerous attempts through out the second half and finally broke through in the 88th minute with sophomore Jessica Dacey pushing her first goal of the season through the upper right corner to give UNG the 4-1 lead that proved final.

North Georgia will hit the road for the first time this weekend, traveling to Charlotte, N.C., to take on Queens University, with kickoff is set for 5 p.m.

http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=279274

9:04 AM