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Post by Soccerhouse on Feb 22, 2017 12:47:59 GMT -5
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Post by Strikermom on Feb 22, 2017 13:41:45 GMT -5
Not sure how smart this is. Stonecrest was just named an independent city, and several big stores around the mall area have closed., and the mall itself is becoming a magnet for crime. I have family that live near there and work at Dillard's. The area does need a boost, but only if they can stop some of the big boxes from closing: Target, Best Buy, Kohls, etc
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Post by Soccerhouse on Feb 22, 2017 14:12:27 GMT -5
Sounds like its a big part of their revitalization plan for the area.
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Post by nani17 on Feb 22, 2017 15:28:29 GMT -5
Very interesting. I'll be rooting for them. I think the more nice facilities and opportunities help.
However, it does seem to be a competitor to LakePointe. Granted not next door, but the estimated 3 million visitors will pull from somewhere.
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Post by mightydawg on Feb 22, 2017 16:28:17 GMT -5
Did not know this but apparently the youth sports movement has become a $7 billion industry in travel alone. I guess everyone wants a piece of the action.
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Post by Soccerhouse on Feb 22, 2017 16:48:52 GMT -5
Here is the scoop from Georgia Soccer
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Post by soccerfan30 on Feb 23, 2017 10:29:41 GMT -5
Atlanta is trying to get a NWSL franchise by 2018/2019, it's my understanding that it's probably going to happen. Additionally it looks like they are trying to attract a NASL franchise as well, from what I heard Boris is involved. Not a fan of that idea given the Silverbacks past history with mismanagement and high coaching turnover. As a season ticket holder to AUFC I probably would not venture to Stonecrest to watch a NWSL team play even as much as I support women's soccer.
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Post by Soccerhouse on Feb 23, 2017 11:29:17 GMT -5
Too me it seems NASL and NWSL is a tough sell, I'm surprised their is an interest from an investor. I would think it would be hard pressed to make money with these teams. NWSL now has a tv deal with A&E, but I think NASL is down to 10 teams. The exodus of players to europe for the NWSL isn't good given star power puts butts in the seats.
Will also be interesting to see how these non club affiliated locations attract teams for tourneys. Lake point has their puma cup this weekend, and looks like they only have ~60 teams from u9 to u14. We all know the concorde/ufa/ssa tourneys all are big, because of the deals cut -- we send 25 teams to you, and you send 25 teams to us. State cup/Regionals/Nationals is different, and is a huge draw for that community -- especially regionals. You have people stuck in the city for almost a week. Bringing state cup alone would be huge for georgia soccer to be local would be interesting to see the negative financial impact by leaving Columbus. I would bet you would see much better soccer (besides the fact that many top players will be playing DA, ECNL or boys ECNL) -- but you will not have kids stuck out in the heat with nothing to do for 3 days in Columbus. Kids will be fresher, staying in their homes and having a normal routine vs 3 days in columbus. Or the impact of daily travel back n forth for those families that choose not to stay over night. It wears you down combined with the heat. I've heard stories of historical restaurants closing in college towns and a big driving factor was having 1 or 2 home football games canceled or moved to neutral sites, and the negative effect it had on their bottom line.
Look at that battery tournament from the weekend and last night. 4 games involving MLS squads and the battery and half of the stadium was completely empty. Heck one of the teams won the MLS cup and on paper is the best of the best. You would have thought every kid soccer family within 60 miles of charleston would have been at those game. Maybe the weekend games were better attended, but last nights games looked empty. (maybe the camera side of the stadium was full).
Did the womens silverbacks team fold? I think I recall on here they were taking the year off?
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Post by allthingsoccer on Feb 23, 2017 15:23:06 GMT -5
The move would be USL and NWSL. NASL i think is going to be a dead league.
USL- AtlUTD could move into this space. This will provide them with D2 and complete soccer real estate trifacta. Youth Academy DA (U12-U18/19), USL, and MLS
NWSL- Again this could be a move for AtlUTD. Not sure if it will happen. But for sure NWSL to draw in the huge demo of girl/women players.
Great news for soccer in GA!!
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Post by Soccerhouse on Feb 23, 2017 15:55:50 GMT -5
That's my take on this I think this is great for Georgia soccer. I thought Lake point was gonna be this that giant complex that would be accessible and used for local tournaments local games and it just doesn't seem to be the case .
I really like that they're starting with Fields because in my opinion what you want is the fields and a bathroom -- the city needs good fields to be played on.
The city needs that giant Soccer Complex that it seems a lot of other on metropolitan areas have. I guess in a way also this is what Georgia soccer park was originally envisioned to be without all of the restaurants hotels etc, but a soccer destination
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Post by gaprospects on Feb 23, 2017 17:36:20 GMT -5
The move would be USL and NWSL. NASL i think is going to be a dead league. USL- AtlUTD could move into this space. This will provide them with D2 and complete soccer real estate trifacta. Youth Academy DA (U12-U18/19), USL, and MLS NWSL- Again this could be a move for AtlUTD. Not sure if it will happen. But for sure NWSL to draw in the huge demo of girl/women players. All indications are that this is a separate ownership group not affiliated with AtlUtd. I seem to be more optimistic about NASL's future than most, but I'm not sure about another NASL team in a difficult to reach suburb (no MARTA connection) is smart, especially if Boris is at all involved. I expect AtlUtd to go the USL reserve route soon, hopefully for next season. USL allows teams to register up to 5 players who aren't on pro deals, and there are already a number of kids in their academy who could be benefiting from that level of competition. I also expect an AtlUtd U-23 team to join the PDL in the next couple of years, just to give the academy products in college a team to play with each other.
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Post by soccerlegacy on Feb 24, 2017 14:00:31 GMT -5
Atlanta is trying to get a NWSL franchise by 2018/2019, it's my understanding that it's probably going to happen. Additionally it looks like they are trying to attract a NASL franchise as well, from what I heard Boris is involved. Not a fan of that idea given the Silverbacks past history with mismanagement and high coaching turnover. As a season ticket holder to AUFC I probably would not venture to Stonecrest to watch a NWSL team play even as much as I support women's soccer.
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Post by soccerlegacy on Feb 24, 2017 14:04:16 GMT -5
Location, Location, Location. I'm with you on not making the venture to Stonecrest even though I would love to support women's soccer with NWSL. Go where the fans/youth players are, kind of like what the Atlanta Braves are doing with the new baseball field. The Atlanta Beat got it right with location until the dang league folded.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Feb 25, 2017 19:43:13 GMT -5
I hope if a USL or NASL team comes back that Boris is not involved. It pains me to say this but I think many people view Boris as the minor league version of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, he can't get out of his own way and his decisions hold back the team.
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Post by spectator on Feb 25, 2017 20:05:38 GMT -5
LakePoint was funded in part by Coca Cola and isnt finished yet. Its drawing showcases and has been used by NASA for practices and tournament fields. Lots of hotel and retail growth uo there and very easily accessible from 75.
I think we have enough youth sports around here for both venues to succeed
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Post by Soccerhouse on Feb 25, 2017 20:28:45 GMT -5
LakePoint was funded in part by Coca Cola and isnt finished yet. Its drawing showcases and has been used by NASA for practices and tournament fields. Lots of hotel and retail growth uo there and very easily accessible from 75. I think we have enough youth sports around here for both venues to succeed That's what I was getting ready to ask -- is NASA still involved? I heard an unsubstantiated rumor Concorde would get involved
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Post by soccerfan30 on Feb 25, 2017 20:37:03 GMT -5
NTH uses it for ECNL games, SSA used it as well for their Spring Classic games a few weeks ago
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Post by fan on Feb 25, 2017 20:46:58 GMT -5
Location, Location, Location. I'm with you on not making the venture to Stonecrest even though I would love to support women's soccer with NWSL. Go where the fans/youth players are, kind of like what the Atlanta Braves are doing with the new baseball field. The Atlanta Beat got it right with location until the dang league folded. The Atlanta Beat got it right if you live near Kennesaw 😊. We made it to one Friday night game but the hour and a half drive made us never go back. And that was from inside I-285. Stonecrest isn't ideal either but I'll take that over the I-285/75 drive.
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Post by Soccerhouse on Feb 25, 2017 20:52:29 GMT -5
In 2011 Heather mitts was worth the drive!!
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Post by chipolopolo on Feb 27, 2017 7:41:17 GMT -5
LakePoint is a nice facility even though they still charge for parking for certain events. The facility is in Bartow County so Georgia Knights FC (a Bartow club) has a deal to practice and play certain games at LakePoint.
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Post by guest on Feb 27, 2017 7:59:00 GMT -5
This topic even made the The Georgia Gang on Fox 5, my favorite Sunday morning talk show. Seems they were in favor of it, but questioned where (and who) the money was going to come from.
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