ATL Champions League Raises $133,000 for Youth Development
Soccer in the Streets hosted its largest ATL Champions League tournament on Sunday raising more than $133,000 to serve Atlanta’s underserved youth through soccer development, character lessons and employability training. Atlanta United came out of the weekend as champions with the team consisting of former U.S. Men’s National Team captain Carlos Bocanegra.
Soccer News: When Soccer in the Streets set out to host its largest ATL Champions League benefit tournament, Atlanta’s soccer family rose to the occasion with a record-breaking performance in support of the organization’s youth programs. Twelve teams, nearly 200 players, and a crowd of passionate supporters all teamed up Sunday to raise more than $133,000 to impact metro Atlanta’s underserved youth through soccer development, character lessons, and employability training.
Hometown Major League Soccer club Atlanta United captured its first trophy with a talent-filled team that featured longtime U.S. Men’s National Team captain Carlos Bocanegra, Director of Marketing and former professional player Sarah Kate Noftsinger, and club president Darren Eales.
Atlanta United’s squad eventually lifted the title, but every ATL Champions League team put in a solid showing on the field — including Bayern Munich’s special guest, Andreas Ottl. Players from Soccer in the Streets’ Clarkston FC program also took the field to play and referee in the tournament.
Off the pitch, though, is where the tournament’s competitors truly starred.
Sunday’s action followed the annual fundraising challenge, during which a total of $133,249 and counting broke the organization’s record for a single event, set at last fall’s Black Tie Soccer Game. Five teams brought in $10,000 or more, while a total of 23 individual players hit the $1,000 mark in support of Atlanta’s youth.
Congratulations to the 2016 ATL Champions League title-winners!
Tournament Champions: Atlanta United topped Barcelona on penalties
Fundraising Champions: Liverpool, with more than $25,000 raised
Individual Champion: Ben McKenzie from Manchester United with $6,505 raised
Supporters’ Group of the Year: Madridistas Atlanta
Source/Photo Credit: Soccer in the Streets
