The second location of Station Soccer, the soccer field within transit stations concept, will soon open at West End Station.
Atlanta United Foundation and the city of Atlanta released renderings of the new Station Soccer-West End Wednesday. The soccer field, which is a partnership of Soccer in the Streets and MARTA, comes nearly two years after Station Soccer at Five Points Marta station opened as the world’s first soccer field at a transit station.
The Atlanta United Foundation provided funding for both locations. Station Soccer will feature two new community pitches surrounding the bustling MARTA station, located at 680 Lee St. SW.
“This is a milestone moment for the Atlanta United Foundation and for our partner's Soccer in the Streets, the City of Atlanta and MARTA,” Atlanta United President Darren Eales said in a press release. “The Soccer in the Streets - West End project represents the Atlanta United Foundation’s commitment to promoting positive change in Atlanta’s historic Westside communities.”
It also furthers our mission of providing access and opportunity for individuals across our city to enjoy the game of soccer. We are very proud of this collaboration and look forward to continuing to support the great work being done by Soccer in the Streets.”
Credit: Atlanta United
Credit: Atlanta United
The unveiling of two community pitches at MARTA’s West End station will take place at 3 p.m Saturday, Sept. 8.
The event will also kick off with a 5v5 youth soccer tournament at Station Soccer - Five Points at 10 a.m. The tournament includes competition among four Atlanta-based Soccer in the Streets high school boys and girls teams. The top two teams will advance to the final, which will be played at the new Station Soccer – West End pitches following the dedication ceremony.
All tournament participants will travel to West End Station via MARTA for the championship match.
Additional Station Soccer locations will be announced at a later date as part of the program’s planned expansion, according to a Atlanta United statement.
“The Station Soccer pilot at Five Points Station was a huge success and we’re excited to be working with our partners to expand the program to include more rail stations,” Jeff Parker, MARTA’s general manager and CEO, said in a written statement.
