To commemorate the historical uniqueness of the occasion, Atlanta United did something special for the first invitees it hopes will try out for its academy.
Approximately 275 boxes adorned with the Atlanta United logo were sent to players across age groups in metro Atlanta.
Within the box is an Atlanta United flag. Within the flag is a card upon which is written in gold letters, “You’ve been chosen.” The players will then receive by email a formal invitation to try out for the MLS expansion team’s academy. Dates haven’t been announced, but the academy’s teams will begin play this summer. The first team will begin play in 2017 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The academy will be run by director Richard Money and will be housed with the first team and corporate headquarters, which are under construction in Marietta. Its teams will range in age groups from Under-18 years old, U-16, U-15, U14, U-13 and U-12. The academy is also part of the Olympic Development Program.
“This is a unique way to handle the invitation process,” academy manager Tony Annan said. “The goal is to be a world-class club and academy program, so we wanted the first communication to feel that way.”
The players were invited after the team scouted the area for the past several months. Anann said that the team’s scouting system will be used to find and invite players to train and try out for the club in the future.
The academy has also launched an Instagram account (academyatlutd), twitter feed (@AcademyATLUTD) and website.
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