MLS Atlanta earned its first two wins … in the ATL Champions League tournament to benefit Soccer in the Streets on Sunday at Grady High School.
Fans of the yet-to-be-named team should be comfortable knowing that the two men running the franchise, president Darren Eales and technical director Carlos Bocanegra – have competitive fires that still burn. Oh, and they can play. Bocanegra lifted a beautiful cross that Eales dove and headed into the goal in of the early games in the tournament.
Other than on TV watching Bocanegra play for the U.S. men’s national team, or Fulham in England’s Premier League or Chivas USA in MLS, Sunday’s outing was the first glimpse many people have gotten of Bocanegra live and in person.
It was also their first chance to see what kind of leadership he is bringing to Atlanta’s new MLS team.
The event featured 10 teams playing divided into two five-team groups playing seven-on-seven on a half-field. The winner of each group faced off for the championship.
After winning its first three games, MLS Atlanta was defeated by Manchester United, known in its day job as www.atlantaben.com, 3-1 to end its day.
Manchester United went on to defeat Tottenham 3-1 for the title.
The real winner was Soccer in the Streets because $88,000 was raised for the organization, which tries to use soccer to empower the lives of at-risk children.
Bocanegra was the attraction for MLS Atlanta. Fan after fan came up to ask for an autograph or a photo between games when he was either resting under a tent, playing with his two children or between TV interviews.
He always obliged and was serenaded with a chant of “Captain America” after the tournament.
Though the event was for fun, a serious Bocanegra took charge in the visitor’s locker room of Grady before the game, detailing the responsibilities for each position in the 1-3-2-1 formation and the tactics that would be needed to advance.
It was the leadership that led him to captain the U.S. men’s national team dozens of times and then he showed the skills on the field that were some of the reasons he was capped by the U.S. men’s national team more than 100 times.
In addition to the cross to Eales, he rifled a shot into the lower corner for a goal in another game. The only slip up came when he failed to score in a one-on-one with the goalie. That goalie later agreed that stopping Bocanegra was one of the highlights of his soccer career.
Bocanegra didn’t dominate minutes on the pitch. He often came off, allowing others to play and later volunteered to become an eighth man to strengthen the bench.
L.A. date change: Some fans of MLS Atlanta weren't happy when it was announced that LAFC was joining the league in 2017, splitting the spotlight between the two.
It may not happen.
The Los Angeles Times reported Sunday that LAFC will begin in 2018 because of delays in construction of its stadium.
Silverbacks Open Cup: The Silverbacks will play either Wilmington (USL) or Chattanooga (NPSL) in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The game will be played May 27 at the other team's home.
Chattanooga and Wilmington will play at 7 p.m. Wednesday in North Carolina.
The Silverbacks have enjoyed success in the Open Cup, defeating MLS teams Real Salt Lake and Colorado last year before falling to Chicago in the quarterfinals last year.
The Open Cup starts with 91 teams competing in a tournament to crown a champion.
More Silverbacks: The team tied Jacksonville 1-1 on Saturday at Silverbacks Park, their fifth draw in seven games. The Silverbacks have eight points, seven behind the leading Cosmos. Atlanta will play at Edmonton on Sunday.
Combine: A combine will be held May 26-29 at Silverbacks Park for players in two groups: 17 years and older, and ages 12-17.
The combine evaluators include professional coaches, technical directors and scouts ranging from indoor to MLS to clubs in Europe and South America.
To register, go to http://www.prosoccerexperience.com/ProPlayerCombines/index_E.html.
Georgians in MLS
Here’s a list of players with ties to the state who are in MLS:
Joe Bendik (@jtbendik), Toronto, GK, Kennesaw
Did not make the 18 for team’s 3-2 win over Montreal on May 13 or 1-1 draw with New England on May 16. He is recovering from a foot injury.
Next game: vs. Portland on Saturday.
Mark Bloom (@markbloom21), Toronto, D, Marietta
Did not make the 18 for team’s 3-2 win over Montreal on May 13 or 1-1 draw with New England on May 16. He is recovering from an injury.
Next game: vs. Portland on Saturday.
Ricardo Clark (@RicoC13), Houston, M, Jonesboro
Started and played 90 minutes in team’s 3-1 win over Portland on May 16.
Next game: at L.A. Galaxy on Friday.
Warren Creavalle (@warrenspeak), Toronto, D, Acworth
Came off the bench to play 9 minutes in team’s 3-2 win over Montreal on May 13. Came off the bench to play 7 minutes in team’s 1-1 draw with New England on May 16.
Next game: vs. Portland on Saturday.
Chris Duvall (@chrisduvall91), New York Red Bulls, D, Duluth
Played 90 minutes and had one shot in team’s 0-0 draw with FC Dallas on May 15.
Next game: vs. Philadelphia on Sunday.
Sean Johnson (@sjohn25), Chicago, GK, Snellville
Started, played 90 minutes and made three saves in team’s 2-2 draw with NYCFC on May 15.
Next game: at Columbus on Friday.
Alec Kann (@akann90), Chicago, GK, Decatur
Did not make the 18 for team’s 202 draw with NYCFC on May 15.
Next game: at Columbus on Friday.
Chris Klute (@chrisklute), Columbus, D, Silverbacks, Clayton State
Made the 18 but didn’t play in team’s 2-0 loss to San Jose on May 16.
Next game: vs. Chicago on Friday.
Jack McInerney (@jackmcinerney9), Montreal, F, Alpharetta
Came off the bench to play 58 minutes in team’s 3-2 loss to Toronto on May 13. Came off the bench to play 27 minutes in team’s 4-1 win over Real Salt Lake on May 16.
Next game: vs. FC Dallas on Saturday.
Kwadwo Poku, NYCFC, M/F, Silverbacks
Made the 18 but didn’t play in team’s 2-2 draw with Chicago on May 15.
Next game: at Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
Andrew Wolverton (@a_wolvie), Los Angeles, G, Atlanta
Did not make the 18 for team’s 4-0 loss at Orlando on May 17.
Next game: at Houston on Friday.
Walker Zimmerman (@thewalkerzim), Dallas, D, Lawrenceville
Started and played 90 minutes in team’s 0-0 draw with New York Red Bulls on May 15.
Next game: vs. Montreal on Saturday.
