The Daily Dirt, October 15: This Tha City

I’ve always wanted to use a Pastor Troy song for one of these titles...

Today marks the first time that Atlanta United’s new academy teams will face long-time youth powerhouse Concorde Fire in league play. Concorde started in 1982 and has been part of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy since it started in 2007. They are the longest running Georgia club in the USSDA.

For the players, this is big opportunity to play in a rivalry match. Players from both clubs have been looking forward to this one all season. Many of these players have played together in the past and are very familiar to one another.

Concorde’s U18 team is 2-2-2 so far in 2016. The U16’s are 2-1-3. They will play this afternoon at Pace Academy (U18 at 12:00 p.m., U16 at 2:30 p.m.). The U12, U13, and U14 are playing at Kennesaw State’s Marietta campus.

Over time, the presence of a MLS academy will raise the level of all the other youth clubs in metro Atlanta. Beyond what Atlanta United can offer to other clubs in coaching education, kids from all over the city will now have something to strive for and players to emulate.

But today, let’s see how the top players in Atlanta compare...

Domestic

Seattle USL prospects could be ready to join the first team in 2017 (Sounder at Heart)

Philadelphia shows off its new training facility to the media (Brotherly Game)

Pro soccer in Las Vegas? (Midfield Press)

Ownership groups exploring stadium sites with St. Louis University for MLS in STL (St. Louis Today)

Former Atlanta Silverback Jaime Chavez scored the Goal of the Year for Miami FC:

International

Former USMNT outside back Eric Lichaj scores for Nottingham Forest:

Liga MX looking to start an All-Star Game (FOX Sports)

Five things for Bob Bradley to do at Swansea (Guardian)

Tim Cahill scores first goal for Melbourne City:

Local

Georgia State’s women lost 2-1 to Arkansas-Little Rock.

Georgia Military’s women’s steam defeated Andrew College 3-2.