AFC Lightning soccer club will host Atlanta Silverbacks game in Fayetteville this Tuesday
afclightning.org
AFC Lighting will be hosting a pre-season friendly between the NASL Atlanta Silverbacks and Division III Oglethorpe University this Tuesday, March 17. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
March 16, 2015
The NASL Atlanta Silverbacks are coming to play at McCurry Park in Fayetteville this Tuesday, March 17, with kick-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The Silverbacks will be playing Division III Oglethorpe University, and admission is free.
AFC Lightning soccer club will be hosting this pre-season friendly. There will be activities and interaction with Silverbacks players and coaching staff before the game (starting with a Children’s Clinic at 5:45 p.m.) and then a high quality game straight after. There will also be post-match activities.
For referees, the local assignors are using this night as a referee training opportunity as well. The referee crew will stay after the match to discuss the game and refereeing. Referees should check in with Dave Sullivan on the night of March 17. He will be under one of the green Georgia Soccer/Publix tents.
For more information about the event, see http://afclightning.org/?p=
Atlanta Selected to Host Semifinal Doubleheader of the 2015 Gold Cup
The Confederation of North, Central America and the Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) has selected Atlanta to host the semifinal round of the 2015 Gold Cup Tournament. The Semifinal double-header will be held in the Georgia Dome on July 22, with kickoff times set for 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. EST.
Taking place every two years, the Gold Cup has established itself as the region’s most popular national team tournament. Featuring the Confederation’s best players from 12 top nations, the competition routinely draws capacity crowds and millions of television viewers across the region and around the world.
“The prestige of being selected as the host of the 2015 Gold Cup semifinals further demonstrates Atlanta’s ability to deliver on all facets of hosting an event,” said Dan Corso Executive Director of the Atlanta Sports Council. “Hosting the semifinal doubleheader guarantees Atlanta’s passionate soccer community the opportunity to see the top four teams of the tournament, including the possibility of the US National Team, who has not played in Atlanta since the 70’s. The 2015 Gold Cup is just another example of the way the city and region are capable of hosting the biggest soccer tournaments in the world.”
“The prestige of being selected as the host of the 2015 Gold Cup semifinals further demonstrates Atlanta’s ability to deliver on all facets of hosting an event,” said Dan Corso Executive Director of the Atlanta Sports Council. “Hosting the semifinal doubleheader guarantees Atlanta’s passionate soccer community the opportunity to see the top four teams of the tournament, including the possibility of the US National Team, who has not played in Atlanta since the 70’s. The 2015 Gold Cup is just another example of the way the city and region are capable of hosting the biggest soccer tournaments in the world.”
Tickets to all Gold Cup matches will be available to the general public starting on Thursday, March 19 at 10:00 a.m. by visiting goldcup.org.
To date, eleven of the twelve national teams scheduled to participate have qualified for this year’s tournament. Listed in alphabetical order; Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago and the United States will compete for the Confederation Crown in July.
The final spot will be decided in late March through a play-in series between Honduras and French Guiana.
“We’re thrilled that the Georgia Dome will be hosting two Gold Cup semi-final matches here in Atlanta this summer,” said Darren Eales president of MLS Atlanta. “Our selection as a host city for such a prestigious international tournament is another indication that Atlanta is not only a passionate soccer city, but also an attractive destination for world class sporting competition. We’re looking forward to seeing top class play on the pitch and a high energy, lively atmosphere in the stands.”
In recent years soccer has drawn record numbers in Atlanta. In 2013, the Georgia Dome hosted the Gold Cup Quarterfinal double-header, which at the time broke the Dome’s attendance record for a soccer match with 54,229 fans in attendance. In March of 2014, Atlanta hosted the Mexican National Team for a pre-World Cup tour match vs. Nigeria. The international match sold out the Dome, set a new attendance record for soccer with 68,212 fans and drew the largest soccer crowd in Georgia since the 1996 Olympics.
On April 16, 2014, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber announced that Atlanta was awarded the 22nd MLS franchise. MLS Atlanta will begin play in 2017 at the new Atlanta stadium, currently under construction downtown. The club has already garnered a strong supporting fan base with 19,000 seats reserved to date through their Founders Club season ticket program.
NORTH ATLANTA SOCCER ASSOCIATION
PRESENTS
THE 2ND ANNUAL
CASINO NIGHT FUNDRAISER
TO INSTALL TURF/FUTSAL FIELDS AT METRO & QUEST
FRIDAY – MAY 1ST 7:00PM – 10:00 PM
ATLANTA COUNTRY CLUB
GREAT FUN, GREAT FOOD, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
FEATURING BLACKJACK, TEXAS HOLD ‘EM POKER, CRAPS, ROULETTE, AND WHEEL OF FORTUNE TABLES
ONLINE SILENT AUCTION WITH MANY ITEMS TO BID ON PRIOR TO AND DURING EVENT
50/50 RAFFLE WHERE WINNER TAKES HOME HALF THE POT
EVENT IS FOR PERSONS 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER
*Tickets are $75 per guest. Purchase tickets by 3/31 for a $10 discount. Purchase tickets by 4/15 for a $5 discount.
**To register, go to www.nasa.org and select MEMBER LOGIN in the top right corner. Enter username and password and select SIGN IN. Select MY ACCOUNT in the top right corner. Select VIEW AVAILABLE PROGRAMS, select the appropriate number of tickets you wish to purchase, and select NEXT. Select NEXT if your shopping cart details are correct, or select BACK or UPDATE CART to change your selection. Select NEXT to continue with ticket purchase. Select appropriate method of payment and, if paying by credit card and if desired, Capital Campaign donation amount. Confirm or edit billing address, complete payment information if paying by credit card, check box under Registration Terms, and select SUBMIT ORDER. Select COMPLETE ORDER to finalize transaction.
The Spring Season of the. The league is open to competitive recreational players looking to get a fast and active game in our unique W2W 5v5 Courts.
Games will kick off at 7:30pm and we expect to build on previous leagues where we have had 6 competitive teams. Play is fast-paced and continuous with the ball live off the walls and the nest for constant, fast-paced action. One 60 minute 5v5 soccer game is reported to burn up to 900 calories per player.
Register as an individual or as a team. Matching and numbered team uniforms are required and are available through the W2W Soccer Store.
The Spring season will kick-off on Wednesday April 8th and run through Wednesday June 10th. An early registration discount of $25 per player is available up to 7 days before the start of the league.
Teams and Individuals are welcome to register and play.
| When | Apr 8, 2015 7:30 PM - Jun 10, 2015 9:30 PM |
| Deadline | Jun 3, 2015 12:00 PM -- last date to register |
| Where | 5v5 Court 1 |
| 170 Cox Road, Roswell, GA 30075 | |
| click here for more information |
Spring Break and Summer Sports Camps at W2W. Registration is now open.
Sign up for our 2015 Summer Camp Pass and enjoy 10 weeks of summer sports camp for one up front fee of $750, only $75 per camp week. This is our best camp valueWe invite your young sports player to join us for our 2015 W2W Youth Sports Camp program to be held at our 8.2 acre sports facility on the border of Roswell and Milton.
We offer a weekly 9am to 3pm Sports Camp for spring break and summer with a fun and active program that includes;
Speed & Agility Races
Mini-Soccer World Cup
Dodgeball
Kickball
Flag Football
Capture the Flag
Olympic Handball
Water Gun Friday
Bike Races and much more
Weekly Sign-Up - Weekly camp Sign-Up is available for $175 per camper per week.
2015 Summer Camp Pass - The 2015 Camp Pass covers all 10 Weeks of summer camp for one up-front payment of $750, a saving of over $1000 on the full price camp. Adds up to a 5 day, Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm camp for $75 per week - $2.50 per hour!
All camps are open to boys and girls aged 6 to 16.
Click yes to choose the camp of your choice.
| When | Apr 6, 2015 9:00 AM - Aug 7, 2015 3:00 PM |
| Deadline | Jul 31, 2015 11:59 PM -- last date to register |
| Where | 5v5 Court 1 |
| 170 Cox Road, Roswell, GA 30075 | |
| click here for more information |
MatchDay Memory–History of ATL Soccer (Part II)
Recently my family moved to Atlanta to start the next chapter in our lives. As part of settling in I started researching the history of soccer in Atlanta, expecting to focus on the Silverbacks and the new MLS team which starts play in 2017. To my surprise I learned that soccer has been in city since the 1960’s and is full of interesting stories and characters. So here we go . . .
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The 1990’s saw a combination of indoor and outdoor teams in the Atlanta area. It appears that there was an indoor/outdoor team in SISL, which was a league that started in 1986 as the Southwest Indoor Soccer League, then became the Southwest Independent Soccer League in 1989 and was renamed the Sunbelt Independent Soccer League in 1990. Hope you got all that because there will be a quiz at the end. The Atlanta Express started in 1990 but became the Gwinnett County Steamers. At the same time another club played as the Georgia Steamers, which became the Atlanta Quicksilver and then the Atlanta Lightning. These two entities had disbanded by 1992.
The Atlanta Magic/Lasers started in 1991 and played in both the indoor and outdoor divisions of the USISL. The USISL or United States Interregional Soccer League was a continuation of the SISL. The league went through several name changes, which I will discuss shortly. As for the team, it found much greater success indoors, finishing first and making the championship game in each of the five years of their existence. Outdoor play was a different proposition and they folded after 2 games in the 1995 season, with the indoor team ending after the 95/96 season.
Originally the Magic were supposed to play in the American Professional Soccer League for the 1995 season but owner Sam Chase created the Atlanta Ruckus and several players moved to this new entity. After a financial injection by South African businessman Johnny Imerman, the Ruckus began play in 1995 and made the American Professional Soccer League or A-League Final against Seattle but lost.
Quick tangent about the APSL. When I first started following the beautiful game in the mid-90’s, I was aware of the A-League, which turned out was a branding term for the American Professional Soccer League (APSL). I didn’t know that at the time, but in researching different Atlanta based teams, I noticed the league name came and went and didn’t match my notions of what I thought it was. Here’s the reason why. The APSL existed from 1990 to 1996, with teams from the United States and Canada. The league never received First Division status but, until the emergence of MLS, the APSL was the US’s top league. Eventually the league re-named itself the A-League in 95 and 96 before becoming part of the United Soccer Leagues, which is what the USISL re-named itself. The name A-League stayed until 2004 when the USL changed it to the USL First Division.
Financial difficulties would plague the Ruckus, with the club being sold in 1996 and then operated by the league in 1998. A new ownership group would take charge and renamed the team the Atlanta Silverbacks for the 1999 season. (The name was in honor of Willie B., a silverback gorilla who was a star attraction at the zoo.) Stability finally arrived but onfield success did not. The Silverbacks only made two playoff appearances (2002 and 2007) between the inaugural season and 2009. At the end of the 2007 campaign, the Silverbacks again lost to the Sounders in the Final. In 2009, the club then went on hiatus as preparations were made for the re-launch of the North American Soccer League.
In reviewing the roster of this entity, here were the notable players that I recognized. John Doyle was a defender on the 1990 World Cup team and had experience in Sweden and Germany before playing with the Ruckus in 1995 while waiting for the MLS to start up. He played five years in the MLS before retiring in 2000.
Doyle’s teammate in 1995 was Bruce Murray. This was a name I had heard of but didn’t know too much about. Turns out he played all three games at the 1990 World Cup and was the US Men’s National Team leading scorer when he retired in 1995, playing one season with the Ruckus.
While the Silverbacks were on hiatus, several minor league soccer entities occupied the Atlanta Soccer space.
Atlanta FC joined the NPSL for the 2008 season, playing in the Southeast Conference. They won the Conference title in their inaugural campaign but lost to the St. Paul Twin Stars in the Divisional Round. The NPSL was a much different league in 2008, with only 25 teams in six single table conferences without the national scope that the league has today. Compare that to the 2014 season, in which the NPSL had over 70 teams playing in four regions with at least three divisions each.
The club was not able to match that success in the following seasons, failing to make the postseason for the next four campaigns. On the plus side, Atlanta FC did make the first round proper of the US Open Cup in 2009 but lost to the Charleston Battery. The team was renamed the Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves for the 2011 season, which provided a link to the recently formed NASL team.
After a year on hiatus during the 2013 season, the club returned to the NPSL and made the playoffs in 2014. The Silverbacks Reserves tied eventual league runner up Chattanooga FC for the division title but fell in the opening round of the playoffs to the New Orleans Jesters. Over the years, the team has provided Ramiro Canovas, Luis Sandoval, Janny Rivera, Ryan Roushandel, Rury Alvarez, and Eric Ati to the first team.
![Atlantablackhawks[1]](https://soccernomad.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/atlantablackhawks1.png)
The Atlanta Blackhawks joined the USL-PDL, a part of the fourth division of the US Soccer Pyramid, in 2009. Notably, Sean Johnson, currently at the Chicago Fire, played on the team in the first season. Unfortunately the team folded after two seasons but had the best looking logo of the teams I came upon in my research. The club was owned by Massoud Roushandel, who I found out is one of the most successful youth coaches in Georgia soccer. In a blurb upon his hire at the USL Front Office, these impressive achievements were noted:
two National Champions, five Region III Championships and 13 State Championships in Georgia. Roushandel has helped to place dozens of players on NCAA Division I soccer teams, US Youth National Teams and in Major League Soccer.
The Georgia Revolution joined the NPSL in 2011 and created a local rival for the Silverbacks Reserves. The team was the result of the efforts of the Rockdale Youth Soccer Association and play their matches in Conyers, Georgia, which is about 25 miles east of downtown Atlanta. The club has had moderate success in their first three seasons, winning a division title in 2012, along with a couple of second place finishes. Their 2012 playoff run ended in the first round, where they lost to Chattanooga FC, who would go on to the NPSL Final. Georgia Revolution also qualified for two US Open Cup 1st Round Propers in 2012 and 2013 but lost to the Atlanta Silverbacks both times. The team had a forgettable 2014 campaign in an expanded South Region, only winning one match.
The next post will look at the NASL Silverbacks.
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These posts are based on internet research so may be incorrect or incomplete. Please reach out to me at austinlong1974@gmail.com with any comments or corrections.
Please assist us in disseminating this information to any and all players and coaches in your club that might be interested in forming a team or registering individually for our Men's U23 Summer League.
Georgia Soccer is happy to announce a new men’s small sided league for ages 18-23 (U23).
The league will start in Summer of 2015 and will be in a 7 vs. 7 format on Sunday afternoon and evenings on turf fields in Roswell, GA.
More information will be coming in December and January.
Please contact Georgia Soccer if you are interested in putting a team together:kbowen@georgiasoccer.org
Georgia Soccer is happy to announce a new men’s small sided league for ages 18-23 (U23).
The league will start in Summer of 2015 and will be in a 7 vs. 7 format on Sunday afternoon and evenings on turf fields in Roswell, GA.
More information will be coming in December and January.
Please contact Georgia Soccer if you are interested in putting a team together:kbowen@georgiasoccer.org
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An Evening with Liverpool FCs Roy Evans
The Official Liverpool FC Supporters Club of Atlanta welcomes Roy Evans to Atlanta on Saturday March 21st from 5PM onwards.
Entry is via Meehans Downtown for pre event drinks. Roy will be providing us with exclusive insights into his time at the club followed by an LFCAtlanta managed Q&A session. Roy will start the event on stage sometime between 6PM - 7PM and the event will last for approximately 2 hours in the Grand Ballroom behind Meehans. Access is ONLY via Meehans Downtown.
Roy was with the club for over 30 years and successfully managed them from 1994 - 1998. This is the first time a Premier League Manager has visited Atlanta. Tickets are limited in numbers and we expect to sell out. Once they are gone they are gone.
Ticket holders can send questions they would like to ask Roy to us ahead of time for consideration.
There will be silent auctions to bid on exclusively signed Liverpool FC shirts and memorabilia complete with certificates of authenticity as well as a raffle with additional exclusive LFC items, special offers and give-aways from our sponsors: World Soccer Shop and Carlsberg. This will include signed Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carrgher shirts. These wont be available like this after SG leaves the club. There will also be signed Roy Evans shirts from 1994 - 1998 seasons including the shirts worn the season he won the League Cup.
A portion of all proceeds will be donated to charity
Two ticket options:
1. VIP - Event access. Priority ballroom access before General Access tickets to participate in silent aution and raffle to win exclusive signed LFC merchandise. Access to Roy to get an autograph and photograph taken by our photographer. Under 16s can gain access with their parent/guardians ticket. NUMBERS OF THESE TICKETS ARE STRICTLY LIMITED - we expect them to sell out quickly.
2. Kop - Event access. Participate in silent aution and raffle to win exclusive signed LFC merchandise. Under 16s can gain access with their parent/guardians ticket
Lookout for exclusive LFCAtlanta Member offers on the night too. Sign up at a game at Meehans Downtown or contact memberships@lfcatlanta.com to get yours now!
For ticket or event questions contact stuart.brennan@lfcatlanta.com
http://www.lfcatlanta.com/lfcevents/an-evening-with-liverpool-fcs-roy-evans/
In 2014, Cobb United based out of Atlanta, GA attended the United States Soccer Associations National Tournament. We were Finalists in the ametuer division. We have a passionate group of ladies who live and work in the metro Atlanta, GA. Many played division I and division II college soccer. We are a bit older now, but still have a strong desire to play competitive soccer and to be part of a team again. In 2015 the tournament will be held July 16-19 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. We are asking for help to fund our trip, including covering the costs of tournament registration, gas, hotel and gatorade! Any little bit will help! We hope to win the championship in 2015!
GO TEAM!
http://www.gofundme.com/npp4cc
GO TEAM!
http://www.gofundme.com/npp4cc
Canadian Soccer International Forward Kyle Porter joins Atlanta Silverbacks
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Photo courtesy NASL.
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NASL: March 5, 2015 - Canadian international and 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champion Kyle Porter joined the Atlanta Silverbacks after signing on for the 2015 campaign, the club announced Wednesday pending the receipt of an international transfer certificate.
“In all honesty, I think Kyle is one of the most exciting additions that we’ve added to the group this offseason,” head coach Gary Smith said. “He’s quick, he’s powerful, and he is a very talented player. Individually, he’s capable of producing excellence on the ball in 1-versus-1 situations and he has an extraordinary eye for goal at this level.”
Porter, who has represented Canada at the Under-17, U-20 and senior level, made his debut for the senior national team on Jan. 26, 2013, in a 4-0 loss to Denmark as a 70th minute substitute. His second cap came in a scoreless draw with the United States.
“Talent-wise, he’s certainly in the top-10 in this league on an individual level,” Smith said. “I think he just needs some stability, and he will find that here. With some good direction and a very well-organized group, we know he’s capable of performing at the highest level.
“For forwards and the creative-type players like him, it’s all about productivity - goals and assists. He brings the ability to produce those special moments in Atlanta.”
The 25-year-old Ontario, Canada native featured in 32 matches in Major League Soccer – where he helped D.C. United lift the 2013 Open Cup. In 2013 for D.C., Porter made 18 starts and finished with three goals – tied for best on the team with Dwayne De Rosario and Luis Silva. In 2014, Porter also made two CONCACAF Champions League trips with United – one in Jamaica and one in Panama.
“It certainly helps to have players in your group that have won silverware,” Smith said. “He’s shown that he scores goals and is very effective at every level.”
All three of his MLS goals were equalizers. In 2013, he scored in the 65th minute against Sporting Kansas City, a header in the 84th minute brought United back even against the Los Angeles Galaxy, and finally a 27th minute strike tied a match against the Houston Dynamo.
Before joining United, Porter scored 12 goals for FC Edmonton in 47 appearances. He completed two loan spells – one with Energie Cottbus II in Germany’s lower divisions and in the USL with the Richmond Kickers.
“I think Kyle, over the last couple of seasons, hasn’t had the most consistent string of playing time, with loans and changes in his situation,” Smith said. “He’s had ups and downs; he’s had times he’s been effective but can’t seem to grab the minutes he needs too. I think he just needs the right home to show what he’s capable of, and I think this is the place he will be able to show what he’s capable of. He has so much to offer as he enters what’s sure to be the prime of his career.”
“In all honesty, I think Kyle is one of the most exciting additions that we’ve added to the group this offseason,” head coach Gary Smith said. “He’s quick, he’s powerful, and he is a very talented player. Individually, he’s capable of producing excellence on the ball in 1-versus-1 situations and he has an extraordinary eye for goal at this level.”
Porter, who has represented Canada at the Under-17, U-20 and senior level, made his debut for the senior national team on Jan. 26, 2013, in a 4-0 loss to Denmark as a 70th minute substitute. His second cap came in a scoreless draw with the United States.
“Talent-wise, he’s certainly in the top-10 in this league on an individual level,” Smith said. “I think he just needs some stability, and he will find that here. With some good direction and a very well-organized group, we know he’s capable of performing at the highest level.
“For forwards and the creative-type players like him, it’s all about productivity - goals and assists. He brings the ability to produce those special moments in Atlanta.”
The 25-year-old Ontario, Canada native featured in 32 matches in Major League Soccer – where he helped D.C. United lift the 2013 Open Cup. In 2013 for D.C., Porter made 18 starts and finished with three goals – tied for best on the team with Dwayne De Rosario and Luis Silva. In 2014, Porter also made two CONCACAF Champions League trips with United – one in Jamaica and one in Panama.
“It certainly helps to have players in your group that have won silverware,” Smith said. “He’s shown that he scores goals and is very effective at every level.”
All three of his MLS goals were equalizers. In 2013, he scored in the 65th minute against Sporting Kansas City, a header in the 84th minute brought United back even against the Los Angeles Galaxy, and finally a 27th minute strike tied a match against the Houston Dynamo.
Before joining United, Porter scored 12 goals for FC Edmonton in 47 appearances. He completed two loan spells – one with Energie Cottbus II in Germany’s lower divisions and in the USL with the Richmond Kickers.
“I think Kyle, over the last couple of seasons, hasn’t had the most consistent string of playing time, with loans and changes in his situation,” Smith said. “He’s had ups and downs; he’s had times he’s been effective but can’t seem to grab the minutes he needs too. I think he just needs the right home to show what he’s capable of, and I think this is the place he will be able to show what he’s capable of. He has so much to offer as he enters what’s sure to be the prime of his career.”
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By RYAN TOLMICH
Carlos Bocanegra saw a 15-year professional career come to a close in 2014, but the former U.S. Men’s National Team centerback has hopped right back in the game to take charge of a brand new project.
MLS Atlanta announced Monday that the club has hired Bocanegra as its first technical director. The former defender, who will join club president Darren Earles in April, will be charged with overseeing day-to-day soccer operations such as scouting, academy development and player wellness.
“I feel very fortunate to have played the game of soccer professionally for so many years and am excited to be part of something special here in Atlanta,” Bocanegra said. “I’ve always wanted to stay involved with soccer at the top level, and to have that opportunity with MLS Atlanta is a great way to start this next chapter. I’m a competitor and I look forward to bringing that drive and passion into everything I do here in Atlanta.”
Bocanegra retired as a member of Chivas USA following the 2014 campaign, calling an end to a career that took the defender to England, Scotland, France, and Spain. A two time MLS Defender of the Year, Bocanegra also earned 110 caps for the U.S. Men’s National Team and served as captain for six years.
“We’re very pleased to have Carlos join us as technical director,” said Earles. “With over 100 caps for his country, and experience playing both in MLS and top European leagues, he will bring a special skill set and presence to our club. He has an excellent reputation as a mature, confident leader and we have no doubt that he will thrive in the front office as much as he did on the pitch.”
MLS Atlanta, which will be named at a later date, is set to begin play in 2017.
ATLANTA -- Vince Dooley's name lastly is getting placed on a field -- far away from Georgia's Sanford Stadium.
The 82-year-old Dooley, who won 201 games and the 1980 national championship at Georgia, will be in Honduras on March 19 for the dedication of Vince Dooley Field. The soccer facility is located at an elementary and middle college in the Agalta Valley there.
It will be Dooley's third trip to Honduras, where he has supported efforts to give youth an alternative to gang and drug violence. Dooley assisted in planning the landscaping, including 160 hedges about the field.
A scoreboard donated by Coca-Cola bears Dooley's name. FIFA offered soccer objectives. Honduras president Juan Orlando Hernandez will attend the dedication.
Some Georgia fans have named for Dooley's name to be on Sanford Stadium.
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