Follow the latest ATL City news, NWSL expansion updates, player signings, transfer rumors, coaching announcements, and analysis from ATL Sports Zone. Your source for Atlanta women’s professional soccer coverage.
Atlanta’s new NWSL franchise will unveil its team name and brand on October 4, 2023, ahead of its inaugural season in 2028. With a rich soccer history, potential names like Atlanta Beat, Apollos, and Silverbacks emphasize local culture. The reveal marks a significant step toward establishing a distinct club identity.
As Atlanta welcomes a new NWSL expansion team, Croix Bethune emerges as the ideal centerpiece. Her strong local ties, talent, and marketability align with Atlanta’s ambitions. With Washington Spirit’s recent financial commitments limiting their capacity for new stars, Atlanta’s flexibility positions them to elevate Bethune into a franchise icon, shaping women’s soccer in the city.
Atlanta’s new NWSL franchise, set to debut in 2028, gains a significant advantage from the newly introduced High Impact Player (HIP) rule, allowing clubs to spend up to $1 million outside the salary cap on elite talent. This opens avenues for attracting top players, offering Atlanta a competitive edge from the outset.
As Atlanta prepares for its NWSL team debut in 2028, player Croix Bethune emerges as a strong candidate to be the franchise’s face. A Georgia native with professional ties to the USWNT, her familiarity with the local culture and a contract that aligns with Atlanta’s timeline make her an appealing prospect for the team.
Marietta, Ga. has signed a contract to purchase a 33-acre property for $18.5 million, aiming to become the training headquarters for Atlanta’s upcoming NWSL franchise set to debut in 2028. The location’s proximity to Atlanta United’s training facility enhances its appeal, fostering potential collaborative opportunities and community development in women’s soccer.
Recent sightings of Trinity Rodman in Atlanta, particularly at the Hawks’ facility, have sparked speculation about her potential involvement with a future NWSL team in the city. Coupled with her cultural embrace of Atlanta and its role in women’s soccer development, many believe she could become a key player in this emerging market.
Atlanta United is moving into a new leadership phase as Garth Lagerwey exits as President and CEO. The club is seeking a replacement to oversee both the MLS team and an upcoming NWSL franchise. Candidates being considered include Bill Manning, Angela Hucles Mangano, Camille Levin Ashton, and Amy Scheer, each bringing unique expertise.
Atlanta will welcome a new NWSL expansion team in 2028, owned by Arthur Blank’s AMB Sports & Entertainment. This marks a significant revival of women’s soccer in the city, capitalizing on Atlanta’s rich soccer culture. With a passionate fanbase and solid infrastructure, the new franchise promises to energize the local sports scene.
