Atlanta emerges as front-runner for U.S. Soccer headquarters

Mexico midfielder Hector Herrera (16) and U.S. defender Miles Robinson (12), of Atlanta United, go to head the ball during the second half of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final soccer match Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Las Vegas. (David Becker/AP)

Credit: David Becker

Credit: David Becker

Mexico midfielder Hector Herrera (16) and U.S. defender Miles Robinson (12), of Atlanta United, go to head the ball during the second half of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final soccer match Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Las Vegas. (David Becker/AP)

Atlanta has emerged as the front-runner to be the next home of the U.S. Soccer Federation’s headquarters and training center, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations who wasn’t authorized to speak on the record.

U.S. Soccer is considering either Atlanta or Cary, N.C. as its next destination. U.S. Soccer is currently headquartered in Chicago.

A decision is expected to be made within six months.

Additionally, Coca-Cola, headquartered in Atlanta, was announced recently as the first Founding sponsor for the next site. There will be many Founding sponsors.

U.S. Soccer is considering sites all around metro Atlanta to house the complex, which will include the headquarters, training center and at least 14 pitches to house all of the teams: men’s, women’s and youth national teams for both genders, as well as other extended teams.

Atlanta is one of several U.S. cities that will host matches in the 2026 World Cup. It also the home of Atlanta United, which has led MLS in attendance in each of its first six seasons and is leading the league again this season.

What the city doesn’t have is a history of hosting the U.S. men’s national team. It has played in the city twice since 1977, and most recently in 2015. The U.S. women last played in Atlanta in 2016.

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Atlanta United’s 2023 MLS schedule

Feb. 25 Atlanta United 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1

March 4 Atlanta United 1, Toronto FC 1

March 11 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte FC 0

March 18 Atlanta United 5, Portland 1

March 25 Columbus 6, Atlanta United 1

April 1 Atlanta United 1, New York Red Bulls 0

April 8 Atlanta United 1, New York City FC 1

April 15 Atlanta United 2, Toronto FC 2

April 23 Atlanta United 2, Chicago 1

April 29 Nashville SC 3, Atlanta United 1

May 6 Inter Miami CF 2, Atlanta United 1

May 13 Charlotte 3, Atlanta United 1

May 17 Atlanta United 4, Colorado 0

May 20 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 3

May 27 Atlanta United 1, Orlando 1

May 31 Atlanta United 3, New England 3

June 7 Atlanta United 0, LAFC 0

June 10 Atlanta United 3, D.C. United 1

June 21 Atlanta United 2, New York City 2

June 24 New York Red Bulls 4, Atlanta United 0

July 2 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 0

July 8 Atlanta United 1, Montreal 0

July 12 New England 2, Atlanta United 1

July 15 Orlando City 2, Atlanta United 1

July 25 at Miami in Leagues Cup, 7:30 p.m.

July 29 vs. Cruz Azul in Leagues Cup, 8 p.m.

Aug. 20 at Seattle Sounders, 10:30 p.m.

Aug. 26 vs. Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 30 vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 2 at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

Sept. 16 vs. Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 23 vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 at Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 7 vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 21 at FC Cincinnati, TBA