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All of the efforts of Atlanta United to build a “best in class” academy began to pay off yesterday as five players were named to the U.S. Youth National Team’s upcoming U17 training camp. To put that in perspective, eight other MLS clubs placed a player in the squad along with Paris St. Germain. The LA Galaxy had two of their players in the squad. Atlanta United had five.
Two of the Atlanta United players named in the squad play with the team’s U16 academy team, the other three will feature for the U18’s.
It is a credit to the groundwork laid by Georgia United that four of these players came from their program originally. That demonstrates why the unique partnership Atlanta United formed with Georgia United to kick start its academy was worth it. Six teams that have been in MLS for over 20 years did not place one player in this squad. Atlanta United has not even kicked a ball yet, but is ahead of the game in this regard.
Atlanta United, if they continue to develop the talent that they will be starting off their academy with, could change the game in this league.
Domestic
The U.S. Women’s National Team faces Sweden in the Olympic semifinals today at noon on NBCSN (Stars and Stripes FC)
MLS acknowledges referee mistakes in the LA Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls match last weekend (MLS)
What has happened to Cubo Torres (Top Drawer Soccer)
Week 7 of the NASL Fall Season starts Saturday, here’s a preview of the action (NASL)
A look at the successes and failures of American soccer expansion (The Goat Parade)
International
Stuart Holden urges DeAndre Yedlin to leave Tottenham? (Chronicle Live)
5 young Yanks abroad with the most to prove this season #USMNT https://t.co/NbqlrVWiSn pic.twitter.com/CKGykMEp6Q
— Stars and Stripes FC (@StarsStripesFC) August 11, 2016
Mario Balotelli might have a suitor in Serie A (Football Italia)
Zlatan is confident, not arrogant (Sky Sports)
Local
Falcons win their preseason opener over Washington 23-17 (The Falcoholic)
Get ready for the Georgia Gwinnett Grizzlies upcoming women’s soccer season with a look at their 2016 media guide
Braves pitching implosion results in 11-3 loss in Milwaukee (Talking Chop)
A look ahead at the Georgia Bulldogs upcoming season (Dawg Sports)
The search begins for a new Athletic Director at Georgia Tech (From the Rumble Seat)