Sports

3 clubs in state join MLS youth initiative

Community members participate in a soccer event hosted by YELLS (Youth Empowerment through Learning, Leading, and Serving, Inc.) to promote community engagement on Franklin Gateway at The Gallery apartment complex on Saturday, March 25, 2017. One of the boldest and most aggressive revitalization efforts in the metro Atlanta region will celebrate a major milestone later this year with the opening of Atlanta United’s $60 million soccer complex on Franklin Gateway in Marietta. But the community has incurred losses as a result of the redevelopment. The new facilities are replacing four apartment buildings that were bought and razed by the city, displacing some residents. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Community members participate in a soccer event hosted by YELLS (Youth Empowerment through Learning, Leading, and Serving, Inc.) to promote community engagement on Franklin Gateway at The Gallery apartment complex on Saturday, March 25, 2017. One of the boldest and most aggressive revitalization efforts in the metro Atlanta region will celebrate a major milestone later this year with the opening of Atlanta United’s $60 million soccer complex on Franklin Gateway in Marietta. But the community has incurred losses as a result of the redevelopment. The new facilities are replacing four apartment buildings that were bought and razed by the city, displacing some residents. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

By Doug Roberson

May 13, 2020

Atlanta United is one of three clubs from Georgia that joined the MLS new youth-development platform.

Other clubs that joined are Lanier Soccer Academy and Southern Soccer Academy.

The initiative was the result of last month’s dissolution of the Development Academy run by U.S. Soccer. Sixty-five clubs that were in the DA are now part of the MLS platform, which has 95 teams composed of more than 8,000 players.

The platform will focus on “year-round competition, as well as player-identification initiatives, coaching-education opportunities, and additional programming to create the premier player-development environment,” according to MLS.

About the Author

More Stories

Keep Reading

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Dortmund knocks out Monterrey in Club World Cup in Atlanta

Atlanta United adds veteran centerback to help with shaky defense

Albanian centerback Enea Mihaj was signed on a free transfer and will be a TAM player.

Atlanta United’s Efrain Morales says he has room to improve

Five Stripes manager says the Decatur native `gives everything.’

The Latest

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Atlanta United adds veteran centerback to help with shaky defense

Dortmund knocks out Monterrey in Club World Cup in Atlanta

Atlanta United’s Efrain Morales says he has room to improve

Featured

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC

Brookhaven removes colored glass from City Centre dome after uproar

Some say the colors were too bright, the dome looked like ice cream with sprinkles and the hues distracted from the building’s muted design.

Confederate group sues to stop Stone Mountain’s ‘truth-telling’ exhibit

The Sons of Confederate Veterans allege the park’s changes to its Civil War history exhibits violate state law.

59m ago

Georgia student going to court after being expelled for warning of threat

The middle school student was expelled after he sent messages to friends about a video he'd seen with someone threatening to shoot up area schools.