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Two new squads join to make ATL CL bigger than ever
ATLANTA - When the sixth ATL Champions League competition kicks off in May, Atlanta's soccer community will come together for the biggest edition of Soccer in the Streets' spring benefit tournament to date. Due to extreme demand for the event's limited player spots, two complete teams - AC Milan and Barcelona - have been added to the 2016 squad list.
Now scheduled to include 12 teams, the annual ATL Champions League tournament features Atlanta's soccer fans representing their squad in spirited competition with a much greater purpose: Supporting the youth programming efforts of Soccer in the Streets. Along with the on-field portion of the event, ATL Champions League participants face off to see who can bring in the most donations for Soccer in the Streets' youth outreach.
Limited player slots are still available, but potential participants are encouraged tosign up as soon as possible to assure themselves a place in the tournament.
The 2016 ATL Champions League is set for Sunday, May 22 at Grady Stadium in Atlanta. Ticketing information will also be released soon for supporters who are looking to join the fun from the stands.
For more information on the tournament - including leaderboards, galleries from past events, and details about how to get involved - please visit our tournament hub:atlcl.soccerstreets.org.
2016 ATL Champions League Squads
AC Milan
Arsenal
Atlanta United
Barcelona
Bayern Munich
Chelsea
Juventus
Liverpool
Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain
Real Madrid
Tottenham Hotspur
After just one month after suspending operations, the Silverbacks are on their way back. On Tuesday, Doug Roberson of the AJC, broke the news that the Atlanta Silverbacks have found new owners and will join the Georgia Revolution in the NPSL this May.
The Silverback's new ownership conglomerate includes current Silverbacks Park owner Boris Jerkunica as well as John Latham and John Hardin who are part owners of United Football Academy and Phoday Dolleh who has connections to Atlanta soccer, and the Silverbacks, he was also Kwadwo Poku's mentor.
The Silverbacks have secured a coaching staff but were not prepared to announce them, according to Jerkunica.
Most importantly, Jerkunica is convinced that Atlanta United in the MLS can coexist with Atlanta Silverbacks in the NPSL.
This is excellent news for all involved in the Atlanta soccer community. We look forward to covering the Atlanta Silverbacks and Georgia Revolution in the NPSL for seasons to come.
This news also means that the Atlanta Silverbacks Women's team will live on to play in the WPSL.
Jerkunica said he and his partners are looking at the USL and NPSL because the league’s operating costs are significantly less expensive than they are in the NASL. He said operating costs for an NPSL team don’t exceed the low $200,000s, while the NASL can run in the millions of dollars. Jerkunica said he didn’t know the operating costs for teams in the USL, other than they are also cheaper than in the NASL.
HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
The NASL Soccer Bowl in 2013 was a highlight for Atlanta Silverbacks fans. (Hyosub Shin/Hshin@ajc.com)
He said the lower operating costs may allow the partnership group to make changes that may include adding more partners.
“We are looking for a sustainable model where the team pays for itself and doesn’t require the ownership group to continue to put money in,” Jerkunica said.
The USL recently expanded to 31 teams, broken into two conferences: Eastern and Western. Among the closest teams to Atlanta would be Charlotte and Orlando. The USL is considered the third division of American professional soccer. There are partnerships between several MLS teams and several USL teams done to aid in the development of players. Jerkunica said this model would only work if the USL could partner with an MLS team, and if that the USL’s budget and the coaches were paid for by the MLS team. Jerkunica said that option would be difficult to start this year.
The natural partnership for the Silverbacks would seem to be with Atlanta United, but the MLS expansion side announced last week that it has entered into a one-year partnership with Charleston (S.C.) with an extension option. Jerkunica said Atlanta United’s partnership doesn’t affect he and his partners’ choices or decisions. A USL spokesman said the league declines to comment on any expansion franchises.
The NPSL features more than 60 teams broken into conferences within four regions. It is composed of college players and former pro players. The Georgia Revolution, which plays in Conyers, are members of the NPSL. Other regional teams are based in Chattanooga, Knoxville, Nashville, New Orleans, Jacksonville and Orlando. The NPSL is considered the fourth division of U.S. professional soccer.
Jerkunica wrote in an email that the Atlanta Silverbacks as an NPSL team would offer the same experience for fans that it offered as an NASL team.
“A significant portion of the fans that come to watch don’t care whether they are watching ‘college’ players or ‘pro’ players as long as the fan experience is the same,” Jerkunica wrote. “In fact, they have come to really affiliate with the Silverbacks and would like to see a sustainable plan going forward.”
Jerkunica was managing partner of the NASL version of the Silverbacks from 2011-15. The league took over the franchise and ran it during 2015 until announcing last week that the team was ceasing operations.
Jerkunica said he didn’t find out that NASL team was folding until an hour before the news release was sent around 9 p.m. Monday. He had mixed feelings.
“It’s like when any relationship ends. The future is fun, but at same time it’s kind of sad,” he said.
WPSL commissioner Jerry Zanelli said he would love to add Atlanta. Zanelli said the Atlanta team could start as soon as this season, which runs from mid-May to Aug. 1. The league is mostly composed of teams of amateur players with pro aspirations, though there are a few teams composed exclusively of professional players.
The WPSL features dozens of teams around the country, including Alabama and Chattanooga. The league has a relationship with the NWSL and USL and MLS have.
“The Silverbacks have a long history of involvement in women’s soccer and would love to have them in our league,” he said. “We are in discussions to make that happen.”
Future Stars Soccer Academy’s soccer camp program was created by former professional players who have achieved success at every level of the game. They wish to pass that knowledge along to help develop the future stars of tomorrow.
Our summer soccer camp program is designed for players aged 4-15. Participants will increase technical ability while gaining tactical awareness in a competitive environment. Players will learn the same techniques that our coaches use to succeed at the professional level. Furthermore, they will gain understanding of the skills, experience, and work ethic needed to advance to the next level.
All full-day camps start at 9:00 AM and end at 3:30 PM at Oglethorpe University. Lunch is included. All half-day camps begin at 9:00 AM and end at 11:45 AM. Pre- and post-camp are available for $80. Our pre-camp drop-off time is 8:15 AM, and post-camp pick-up is at 4:45 PM. All camps end on Friday at 12:00 PM with our awards ceremony.
NASA and Tophat Soccer Clubs Announce Strategic Alliance
Two of Atlanta’s leading soccer clubs, North Atlanta Soccer Association (NASA) and Tophat Soccer Club, today announced a strategic alliance to create, NASA Tophat, one of the nation’s strongest youth soccer programs.
ATLANTA, GA (February 10, 2016) – Two of Atlanta’s leading soccer clubs, North Atlanta Soccer Association (NASA) and Tophat Soccer Club, today announced a strategic alliance to create, NASA Tophat, one of the nation’s strongest youth soccer programs.
Tophat is a nationally-recognized youth soccer organization located in the Buckhead community, committed exclusively to serving girls soccer players throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area. Tophat is a perennial top performer in state, regional and national play, regularly placing girls in the Olympic Development Program, in the U.S. Youth National Team pools, and in top-tier collegiate women’s soccer programs. In 2015, Tophat was selected as a member of the girls Elite Club National League (“ECNL”).
NASA is a nationally-recognized youth soccer organization located in Cobb and Cherokee counties. NASA is a leader in boys and girls soccer in the southeast and nationally, developing both boys and girls for the U.S. National Team pools. As recently as 2013, NASA’s elite girls won the U.S. Youth National Championships. In January of 2016, NASA alum Emily Sonnett was both named to the U.S. Women’s National Team qualifying for the Rio Olympics and selected with the first pick in the NWSL draft. In addition to its success in girls soccer, NASA is a founding member of the Georgia United Development Academy, part of the boys U.S. Development Academy.
The combined girls programs will play under the Tophat brand and the boys program will operate under the NASA brand. Ted Colburn and Troy Garner, who have built Tophat into a leading national girls club, will oversee the girls programs, and Ray Tomlin, leader of the NASA boys program since 2008, will oversee the boys program. Dave Smith, Executive Director of NASA, will serve as Executive Director for NASA Tophat. Through the combined programs, Tophat and NASA girls will be able to participate in youth soccer from junior academy through competitive teams at all levels of Athena, Regional Premier League, National League and ECNL. On a combined basis, the programs will serve over 4,500 youth players.
“I am very excited about the partnership with NASA,” said Cy Strickler, founder and president of Tophat. “Our combined programs will provide girls in our community with a full range of teams and facilities to play and compete at every level.”
“NASA Tophat will offer boys and girls of all ages the training and development they need to excel. From Athena and Classic, through ECNL and U.S. Soccer Development Academy, we will have strength and teams for every level of player,” according to Dave Smith, Executive Director of NASA.
The combination will be effective beginning with tryouts for the 2016-2017 season. In the interim, club leaders will interact on a regular basis, hold informal practices and scrimmages of combined club players, and work together on integration planning. The clubs also will publish FAQs to club members and hold town hall meetings in the coming weeks for players and parents to learn more about the strategic alliance.
Tryouts for NASA Tophat’s academy, select, ECNL and DA programs will take place in May and June of 2016. For more information, visit:http://nasatophat.com.
I am inviting teams and individuals to come out support and play in this 5v5 tournament in Clarkston. There’s a large football community in Clarkston, mainly consisting of immigrated players from different parts of the world. Most of these players are refugees. The problem is that there aren't many adequate places in Clarkston to play. Especially if and when there has been rain. At the moment, the ideal place to play is on an old basketball court, behind Indian Creek Elementary School, that has been converted to a mini football ball field. The problem is that the goals are falling apart, the turf is not of the best quality, and the place could use a bit of a sprucing up. I am hoping that this tournament will bring a bit of awareness and that we can raise money to get the momentum started in revamping the field and provide a great area for the community to come together.
We are inviting teams of 7 players maximum to play in a 5v5 tournament. One goal keeper and 4 field players. The cost to participate in the tournament is $50 per team.
Address: 724 N Indian Creek Dr, Clarkston, GA 30021 Dates: February 20th and 21st.
Qasim Karimi, wanted to let you know about an upcoming tournament for charity that you can participate in. Check out the facebook page for more information:
Location: Indian Creek Elementary School Address: 724 N Indian Creek Dr, Clarkston, GA 30021
5v5 Tournament with 7 man max roster. The cost for each team is $50. There’s a large football community in Clarkston, mainly consisting of immigrated players from different parts of the world. Most of these players are refugees. The funds go towards fixing up the field and area where the tournament will be held.
This is a great cause, please message Qasim Karimi if you want more information.
ATL Champions League tournament returns Sunday, May 22
ATLANTA SOCCER COMMUNITY TEAMS UP TO BENEFIT DISADVANTAGED YOUTH
ATLANTA --Soccer in the Streets' annual ATL Champions League returns for a sixth edition Sunday, May 22 at Grady Stadium. Players compete on the field to benefit the grassroots organization's youth outreach in Atlanta. Following a star-studded 2015 event that featured Dutch legend Edgar Davids, Chelsea's Paul Canoville and Tottenham's Steve Archibald, along with representatives from Atlanta United FC, ATL Champions League players and supporters can expect another successful day of excitement and community from Soccer in the Streets' largest spring event of 2016.
Tournament participants face off for ATL Champions League bragging rights on the field, but more importantly, each squad's rosterpromotes Soccer in the Streets before the on-field portion of the event to support the organization's youth programming. Last year's ATL Champions League participants brought in more than $90,000 in donations, allowing the organization to expand locations and total hours to give even more opportunities for Atlanta's underserved youth to participate, both on and off the field.
With a high demand for roster spots and two teams already full, potential players are encouraged to sign up quickly to avoid missing out on the action. For fans looking to take in the action from the stands, ticket information will be released soon.
Alongside supporters from European powerhouses like Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, hometown MLS club Atlanta United will also participate in the 2016 ATL Champions League. With cameos from team president Darren Eales and U.S. men's national team legend Carlos Bocanegra, the club's Technical Director, Atlanta United has become a mainstay in Soccer in the Streets' recent tournaments and also appeared in last fall's Black Tie Soccer Game.
Check out the ATL Champions League tournament hub for more information during the buildup to May 22 -- including photo galleries, videos, league tables and competition rules.
PLAYER REGISTRATION
Secure a spot on one of the ATL Champions League squads with our online signup. Upon registration, each player commits to raising at least $125 for the kids of Soccer in the Streets.
ATL Champions League plays a vital role in helping Soccer in the Streets provide character development, mentoring, and employability programs to Atlanta's youth.
The ATL Champions League features 10 teams in seven-a-side action, with supporters representing major professional clubs and fundraising to benefit Soccer in the Streets.
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