U.S. Soccer is heading to Atlanta, where it plans to build a training center and headquarters after a $50 million contribution from Atlanta United and Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank.
The announcement came following a U.S. Soccer board of directors meeting on Friday, as the federation said it would be departing its longtime home, Chicago. U.S. Soccer sold its former “Soccer House” headquarters in August.
“This national training center will accelerate the growth of soccer in this country and will represent a commitment to developing elite soccer players for decades to come,” U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone said in a press release announcing the move.
“Investing in youth and adult programs as well as our extended national teams reflects our commitment to ensuring that players of all ages and backgrounds can find a home and thrive in this sport. These investments are a signal to our players, coaches, referees, members and fans that the future of U.S. Soccer is bright.”
Federation CEO and secretary general JT Batson has been tapped to select a final site in the metro Atlanta region, with U.S. Soccer saying that feasibility studies are being conducted on several locations already. The federation says it will make a final choice in January 2024.
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U.S. Soccer to build National Training Center in Metro Atlanta with initial funding from Arthur M. Blank to help grow soccer ecosystem nationallyยป https://t.co/L6KusFjbug pic.twitter.com/ntcjwbznht
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) September 15, 2023
The new facility will serve as federation headquarters and the training center for all 27 national team programs. That’s a massive change from the previous set-up, which saw U.S. Soccer’s business and operations set up in Chicago while training camps took place either near the venue for upcoming friendlies or, for winter camps, in California.
The federation noted that part of Blank’s funding of the project is earmarked for facilities designed specifically for the nine extended national teams, “particularly in support of the cerebral palsy (CP), deaf, and power soccer national teams.”
Blank’s hefty financial contribution does not foot the entire bill, with the federation saying that the project is “funded in part” by the Home Depot co-founder. U.S. Soccer did not note further outside contributions, but did mention that longtime FIFA sponsor Coca-Cola “played an important role” in the federation moving to Georgia. The beverage maker and U.S. Soccer announced a long-term sponsorship deal in July.
“America’s top athletes deserve the best when it comes to preparing them for competition on the global stage and Iโm thrilled U.S. Soccer has chosen metro Atlanta as its new home,” said Blank.
“Atlanta’s incredible passion for soccer, corporate community and unmatched infrastructure make this a natural home for the national training center and I’m very confident our community will help America’s finest soccer players compete on a global level like never before.”
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