Dedicated to promoting Soccer Art, Music and Culture in Atlanta and throughout Georgia. Atlanta Soccer News
Goal of the Week
David Smith of Pope (Marietta, Ga.) scores the 70th-minute winner in a 2-1 victory over Douglas County to capture ESPNHS Goal of the Week honors. Goal of the Week Nominate a Goal »
A Cobb County high school senior is in the hospital with a brain injury after a game of bubble soccer.
Salvador “Chava” Reyes was celebrating the end of Campbell High School soccer season with his teammates when he collided with another player, causing the traumatic head injury.
In bubble soccer, players wear inflatable bubbles and run into each other, but during the team’s celebration game Friday something went wrong.
Reyes, who was captain of the Spartan’s boys soccer team, was going up for a header when he collided with another player and flew back onto the ground.
“His forehead just immediately shattered internally and he had some bleeding in his brain,” his sister, Ruby Reyes, said,
Chava was just two weeks from graduation when the accident happened.
“He was counting down for it,” Ruby Reyes said.
She says her brother was getting ready to try out for a professional soccer team in Mexico after his graduation.
Now he’s in the Critical Care Unit at Kennestone Hospital facing a long road to recovery.
“He can open his eyes a little more because the swelling has gone down,” Ruby Reyes said.
Doctors are now waiting for the swelling to go down even more before they perform a reconstructive surgery
One of his coaches, Pierina Anderson, says his teammates are distraught and they are pulling together to help him.
“He had a future for him and we just need all help we can to help the family,” Anderson said.
Several charity soccer games have been scheduled to help raise money for Chava’s medical bills. You can also help the family by donating on their GoFundMe page. Or to the Salvador Reyes Donation Fund at any Wells Fargo bank. Follow his Facebook page for updates on his recovery and fundraisers.
(Kennesaw, Georgia)- Atlanta Soccer News organized the first ever soccer flash mob in Atlanta in a stunt to create excitement for the upcoming season and to bring awareness of the lack of adult practice facilities in Atlanta. On Sunday September 4, approximately 60 people descended on Noonday Park in Kennesaw/Marietta Georgia dressed in regular street clothes in what seemed to be random people enjoying a day at the park. At exactly 430pm, a large red van parked next to the picnic area began to blast loud Samba music from its rear doors. At that moment, all the people that were near and around the pavilion changed out their street clothes and into their soccer gear. Soccer balls were kicked out of the van and people started juggling in groups of four in rhythm to the music.
The juggling continued until local a ref stepped out of the pavilion, blew the vuvuzela and moved the mob onto the field. A game of soccer erupted and the a soccer flash mob came to life. Unlike other games, there were no jerseys and no team, just a massive mob of confused people kicking multiple soccer balls thru out the field. The game continued for 10 minutes with no winners and no losers and 60 red cards courtesy of the referee.
The mob eventually disbanded and broke up into small games and played small sided pick up the rest of the evening. The mob played for a couple of hours and moved the event to Brewters Pub nearby. The event continued into the evening where many of the local soccer cognoscenti including Jeff Montgomery, Marco Garcia and Jim Caruso made their entrances.
"It was EPIC"- Weaux Lopez
Free the Randoms
“We wanted to raise awareness within the soccer community of the need to have adult playing facilities in the Atlanta Area.” Exclaimed event organizer Quique Lopez. “ In Atlanta, most of the parks and other playing facilities are dominated by organizations that leave little room for random soccer players to get together and play unorganized pickup soccer. We wanted to illustrate the beauty of random pickup soccer.”
The event concluded with raffles and silent auction featuring many signed jerseys, balls and gift certificates to local restaurants. The top Prize was a week of intensive soccer training by Coach Ian Wheeler ‘s Total Football Program. The organizers vowed to continue efforts to promote their cause by holding events and tournaments thru out the season at various venues. For information, promotions@atlantasoccernews.com
There will be a very special ceremony between the games at 6:45pm
Michael Childers wife Regina and his two daughters, Jennifer & Jessica
will be presenting the 2015/16 CASL YMCA Division Champions Awards to the Winning teams including Michaels Over 40Division Winners Rovers FC Green, along with a check to the representatives of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Michael's Memory
We encourage every one to participate in this special last tribute to Irish Mike!
for more information on now to make a donation directly to AFSP
ATL Champions League, presented by GreenFields USA, is back and better than ever this Sunday at Grady Stadium! Twelve teams of Atlanta's soccer supporters will represent major clubs and face off in the on-field tournament and fundraising challenge, all of which goes toward developing the city's youth on and off the field.
Atlanta United's front office will once again lace up the boots in support of our kids, along with former Bayern Munich player Andreas Ottl and more than 180 of the city's most passionate soccer fans.
Grady Stadium's gates will open for fans at 11 a.m., and kickoff is set for 11:30. Grab a ticket for just $5 to catch all the action!
It's not too late to get involved -- we're still in need of volunteers for Sunday's tournament. If you're interested in helping out, please email info@soccerstreets.org to hear about all the different gameday opportunities.
Show your support - Even if you aren't able to play in the tournament, you can still sponsor a friend, family member, coworker, and even your favorite team.
League Tables - Can anyone unseat defending champs Liverpool in the fundraising challenge? Every squad still has a shot at the title, but they'll need your help to reach the top of the table.
RIP Edmundo Campbell! We Love you Mundo! Edmundo (Mundo) Campbell (Barranquilla, 7 de octubre de 1949 - Atlanta, 10 de mayo de 2016). Foto de Álvaro Ramos.
The Atlanta soccer community is mourning the loss Mundo Campbell, one of the most loved and well known futboleros around. Mundo passed away May 10 after being diagnosed with brain cancer just weeks earlier. We, soccer community, will never be the same with out one of the pioneers of our community. Mundo's passion and love for the game along with the many friendships made in the process of practicing his craft, is the glue that keeps our community alive. The intangible goodness and unspoken appreciation is reflected in all the moments we shared with Mundo in playing together, playing against each other, sharing a pint, watching soccer together and celebrating our existence.
Many times you hears about the idea of joy being passed around. Mundo was one of those people that gives credence to this idea. He was one of those people who brought the joy and passed it to others. He lived in the moment and passion magnified it.
Edmundo Campbell was born Barranquilla, Colombia 7 October 1949- was fixture in the Atlanta Soccer Community for over 5 decades playing ADSL. Mundo was on Internacional from 1978 until 1987. Before that he played on a team called Alianza, 1974 to 1976-77. Mundo helped form Vintage Genesis in 1987 which competed in the ADSL until 1998 and later Vintage Genesis and Atlanta Select. He later competed in Mountain Park, Gwinnett, and Roswell leagues.
One Mundo's great joys was to participate in the Charleston Invitational Memorial Day Tournament in SC. One year Carlos Valderama played in the tournament. As a Colombian, he was over the moon when one day Carlos Valderama bus pulled in and he had the opportunity of a lifetime to play against the world class star that represented his country. Although getting their butts kicked, somewhere is a picture at half time with his arms around Valderrama with the biggest smile.
"Mundo was prolific finisher and set a single season tally record for most goals scored in a season.... so he told me over a pint. He was a valued player, coach, mentor and friend to so many." -Paul Hart
I had the honor of having known Mundo since we played together in the 80s with a host of teams. Mundo, was one of the few fellow Colombians playing in the ADASL at that time and went out of his way to be a great friend and mentor. He had grace in his play and always put in 100% for his team. His passion and joy followed him.
"Mi Amigo Mundo Campbell passed on this evening sadly, shockingly, and too suddenly. This is the last picture I have of Mundo and I taken a couple weeks ago. There is light beaming down thru us. Follow the light mi amigo and I will see you again soon. RIP Mundo" -Paul Hart
The last time I saw him was a couple of weeks ago at the Vintage Genesis/ Rovers Chrome game in Upper Waller Park. It was a heated battle and Mundo was right in the middle of the controversy trying to keep the peace. In the end, he left with a smile. We had no idea that it was the last time we would see him. This is the picture with Paul Hart after the game.
It was Mundo's wish to be on the pitch one last time with his friends.
To that end we have decided to honor Mundo this Sunday at the East Roswell field prior to the start of VG match @ 5pm. The idea is to start @ 4:45 and end 5:15. We will invite family and friends to speak and conclude the service with a balloon launch.
We extend an invitation and encourage all the soccer family to attend and be apart of the service. Please plan to arrive by 4:30 and spend time with the family.
Beers, tears, and laughter and stories about Mundo will be shared to be served at Hooligans on Roswell Rd after the VG match.
Thanks to Paul Hart and Wade Meyer for contributing to this article
High School State Rankings
Top Drawer Soccer released their rankings for the state of Georgia. Here is the top 20:
On Saturday, Birmingham Hammers made the 165-mile trek to Conyers, Georgia to take on Georgia Revolution in the first leg of the I-20 Cup. After a feisty 90 minutes, the Revolution completed an undefeated preseason by winning 2-0.
The Revolution managed to get their first shot on target when a cross from midfielder, Scott Redding was delivered from the right side but was met by a headed effort straight at the keeper. The Georgia side ended any early Hammers momentum in the 16th minute when midfielder Nick Wells won the ball in his own half, dribbled past a defender, and played a through ball to striker Carlos Mendoza on the right who slotted the ball past the keeper in the bottom left corner, making the score 1-0 to the Revolution.
How it Happened
The Hammers kicked things off and immediately, charged downfield and let off a shot that went over the bar within the first minute of the contest. The Hammers continued to pile on the pressure in the early minutes but were unable to truly test the Revolution goalkeeper.
In the 23rd minute, the Hammers won a free kick on the right side, around 22 yards from goal. The Hammers player tried sneak the ball under the Revolution wall with his attempt but was blocked and resulted in a Revolution counter attack. The Revolution charged down the field and played in a low cross which was met by a Hammers defender who almost put the ball into his own net.
In the 35th minute, the Hammers had their most dangerous chance of the night when a cross from the left was met by an unmarked player on the back post but was headed just wide of the open net. Just two minutes later, however, the Revolution responded to the Hammers threat when eventual the Man of the Match, Nick Wells, dribbled past two defenders on the left side and calmly passed the ball into the bottom corner, doubling the Revolution advantage.
With just a minute remaining in the first half, the Revolution failed to convert and extend the lead after a Mendoza received a low cross from Scott Redding on the right side but the striker missed an open net by shooting wide left.
In the 49th minute, Revolution left back, Jonathan Guy, cleared a Hammers attempt off the line to keep the Hammers scoreless. Later, with 53 minutes gone, the Revolution put together a few brilliant combination passes in the midfield that led to a through ball but was met by the Hammers keeper. In the 79th minute, the final clear chance of the match was saved when Redding got on the end of a Revolution corner from the left side. The Revolution midfielder volleyed the ball towards the net but was rebounded by the keeper and was put out for a goal kick.
The two first half goals were the decider in the 2-0 Georgia Revolution win over the Birmingham Hammers. Nick Wells's involvement in both goals earned him Man of the Match. Along with Wells, midfielder Scott Redding and centerback Ibrahim Faye put in dominant performances.
Upcoming Matches
The Revolution will kick off NPSL regular season play this weekend at home in a must-see match against in-state rivals, Atlanta Silverbacks. Kickoff will be at 7:00 PM on Saturday at the RYSA Soccerplex. Tickets can be purchased in advance here. The second leg of the I-20 Cup will be May 28 in Birmingham.
Atlanta United AT&T Fútbol Fiesta located on International Plaza, prior to the Mexico vs Paraguay international soccer match at the Georgia Dome on May 28th. Come meet your Atlanta United ticket sales/service team, as well as other Founding Members. The game is set to begin at 5pm that day!
Nominate a Goal »
The Atlanta soccer community is mourning the loss Mundo Campbell, one of the most loved and well known futboleros around. Mundo passed away May 10 after being diagnosed with brain cancer just weeks earlier. We, soccer community, will never be the same with out one of the pioneers of our community. Mundo's passion and love for the game along with the many friendships made in the process of practicing his craft, is the glue that keeps our community alive. The intangible goodness and unspoken appreciation is reflected in all the moments we shared with Mundo in playing together, playing against each other, sharing a pint, watching soccer together and celebrating our existence.
"Mi Amigo Mundo Campbell passed on this evening sadly, shockingly, and too suddenly. This is the last picture I have of Mundo and I taken a couple weeks ago. There is light beaming down thru us. Follow the light mi amigo and I will see you again soon. RIP Mundo" -Paul Hart
Posts
