Jason Longshore

Before the Whistle, powered by NoFo Brew Co.

Atlanta United vs. San Jose never lacks chaos. But this one should be about identity.

Can Atlanta be protagonists for 90 minutes, not just 25? Can they manage the moments when the match tilts?

FIFA 2026 World Cup Pitch Preparation: Inside the Science & Teamwork FIFA, university researchers and NFL grounds crews are collaborating to prepare 16 stadium pitches for the 2026 World Cup across North America.

World Cup 2026 will be played across 16 stadiums in three countries.

But before kickoff, there’s a team beneath the game preparing every pitch to roll true.

New feature on FIFA’s 2026 pitch preparation and the collaboration behind it:

🔗 www.soccerdownhere.net/post/fifa-20...

Atlanta United Must Improve Buildup Play Ahead of San Jose | Training Ground Notebook Tata Martino breaks down Atlanta United’s buildup issues after the loss in Cincinnati and what must improve before facing San Jose. Analysis from the Training Ground Notebook.

Something Tata said this week stuck with me:

If the team builds up the play well, the forwards will have more opportunities.

That’s the lens for today’s match in San Jose.

Full Training Ground Notebook:
www.soccerdownhere.net/post/trainin...

#ATLUTD #MLS

Atlanta vs. San Jose Never Makes Sense | MLS Chaos History Atlanta United and San Jose Earthquakes have produced some of the wildest games in MLS history. A look back at the chaos, comebacks, and late winners.

Atlanta United and San Jose really is the perfect soccer game every time they play. They’re doing it agains Saturday night so please remember all the stupid things they have done together when they’re given 90 minutes and loose guidelines.

Training Ground Notebook: Constructing Control The opener was not chaotic.It was instructive.For 20 to 25 minutes in Cincinnati, Atlanta United looked like a team building something with intention. The ball progressed cleanly. Latte Lath found a c...

The opener in Cincinnati revealed something important.

Atlanta United didn’t lose because they lacked ideas. They lost control of buildup when the press intensified.

Tata Martino is clear about where the work is.

www.soccerdownhere.net/post/trainin...

Built for the Moment: Cooper Sanchez’s Rise Through Atlanta United | SDH Network Atlanta United Homegrown midfielder Cooper Sanchez discusses his first MLS start, development through the academy, and Tata Martino’s challenge to become a protagonist in Atlanta’s midfield.

“He told me to be more of a protagonist.”

Cooper Sanchez’s first MLS start was only the beginning. The next step is influence.

New at @soccerdownhere.bsky.social:

www.soccerdownhere.net/post/cooper-...

#ATLUTD #MLS

Built for the Moment: Cooper Sanchez’s Rise Through Atlanta United | SDH Network Atlanta United Homegrown midfielder Cooper Sanchez discusses his first MLS start, development through the academy, and Tata Martino’s challenge to become a protagonist in Atlanta’s midfield.

Cooper Sanchez’s moment didn’t arrive overnight.

From the academy to Atlanta United 2 to a season-opening MLS start, the pathway has been building for years.

Now comes the next challenge.

🔗 www.soccerdownhere.net/post/cooper-...

#ATLUTD #MLS

Live after Hawks postgame wraps up on @929thegame.bsky.social & the Audacy app. @madisoncrews7.bsky.social riding shotgun tonight for AST and we'll talk #ATLUTD, #MLS, #USWNT, Champions League, & more. Talk shortly on the 📻 or 📱.

Atlanta United Training Ground Notebook: Becoming Protagonists Under Tata Martino Atlanta United players say Tata Martino’s ideas are taking shape as the team learns to become protagonists and close matches after the Cincinnati opener.

Spent time at Atlanta United training today and one theme kept surfacing again.

Tata wants protagonists.

Players believe the ideas are working. The next step is controlling matches late.

@soccerdownhere.bsky.social Training Ground Notebook:
www.soccerdownhere.net/post/atlanta...

Atlanta United Training Ground Notebook: Becoming Protagonists Under Tata Martino Atlanta United players say Tata Martino’s ideas are taking shape as the team learns to become protagonists and close matches after the Cincinnati opener.

Atlanta United players keep coming back to one word Tata Martino has emphasized since preseason: protagonists.

The identity is forming. The next challenge is turning performances into results.

New Training Ground Notebook ↓
www.soccerdownhere.net/post/atlanta...

#ATLUTD #MLS

Champions League Returns, McKennie Extends with Juventus, Tormenta Pauses 2026 Season Champions League knockout drama resumes, Weston McKennie agrees to a Juventus extension, and South Georgia Tormenta pauses its 2026 USL League One season. Plus MLS momentum and more.

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Champions League, MLS, global headlines, & local impact in one quick read to start your day.

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Champions League knockouts return.
Weston McKennie set for a long-term Juventus extension.
South Georgia Tormenta recalibrates for 2026.

Morning Espresso is live:

📰 Newsletter
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Let’s get the day started.

Atlanta United 2 Sign David “DD” Sibrian to MLS NEXT Pro Contract Through 2027 Atlanta United 2 sign 16-year-old Academy midfielder David “DD” Sibrian through 2027. The Lawrenceville native will become a Homegrown player in 2028 after starring in MLS NEXT and MLS NEXT Pro.

Atlanta United 2 sign Academy midfielder David “DD” Sibrian through 2027.

16 years old.
MLS NEXT All-Star.
12 MLS NEXT Pro appearances last season.

Homegrown deal set for 2028.

The pathway continues.

🔗 www.soccerdownhere.net/post/atlanta...

#ATLUTD #MLSNextPro

South Georgia Tormenta to Pause for 2026 USL League One Season South Georgia Tormenta will not compete in the 2026 USL League One season, but front office and technical staff remain in place for a potential 2027 return.

South Georgia Tormenta will not compete in the 2026 USL League One season.

The front office and technical staff remain in place.

That matters.

🔗 www.soccerdownhere.net/post/south-g...

Thanks!

Atlanta United vs FC Cincinnati Analysis | The Long View A contextual breakdown of Atlanta United’s 2-0 loss to FC Cincinnati, including first-half momentum, territorial shifts, and the decisive moments.

New Monday pillar at SDH:

The Long View

A weekly breakdown that goes beyond the scoreline.

Week 1 examines Atlanta United’s 0-2 loss in Cincinnati, from first-half balance to territorial creep and the moments that decided it.

🔗 www.soccerdownhere.net/post/atlanta...

Maddie’s Version: Atlanta Sets the Baseline in Cincy Madison Crews breaks down Atlanta United’s 2–0 loss in Cincinnati, highlighting the foundation, fight, and lessons from Matchday 1.

The opener in Cincinnati was always going to be a work in progress.

In Maddie’s Version, we look at the baseline Atlanta United set, the identity forming under Tata Martino, and the details that matter next.

Full recap ⬇️
🔗 www.soccerdownhere.net/post/maddies...

@madisoncrews7.bsky.social #ATLUTD

Year 10. Vamos #ATLUTD.

Soccer Down Here | Atlanta Soccer Coverage & Global Soccer Analysis Soccer Down Here delivers daily soccer news and analysis with a focus on Atlanta soccer coverage and the biggest stories from around the global game, including podcasts, features, and in-depth comment...

Get caught up on everything #ATLUTD before the
@fccincinnati.com match

soccerdownhere.net has Training Ground Notebooks+player intros

At 3:30: Five Stripes Countdown
@abegordon.bsky.social +
@madisoncrews7.bsky.social
929TheGame and Audacy App

Kickoff: 4:55
MikeConti
@longshoe.bsky.social

Ten Years In. Just Getting Started. | SDH Mission for 2026 Soccer Down Here begins its 10th season with a clear mission for 2026: context over noise, access for all, and respect at every level of the game.

Today is Matchday.

It’s also our 10th season covering soccer in Atlanta.

This morning we shared who we are, why we do this, and what 2026 requires from us.

Access. Context. Civility. Every level matters.

Ten years in. Just getting started.

🔗 soccerdownhere.beehiiv.com/p/ten-years-...

Growth, Pressure, and Opening Day | MLS Season 31 Begins, Atlanta United at Cincinnati, Arsenal Title Race MLS kicks off Season 31 with record crowds and rising expectations. Atlanta United open in Cincinnati, Arsenal feel title pressure in the Premier League, and global storylines shape a pivotal weekend.

📰 Read it here (subscribe for free delivery via email each weekday morning): soccerdownhere.beehiiv.com/p/growth-pre...

🔊 Listen here (subscribe for all of our @soccerdownhere.bsky.social audio content wherever you get your podcasts): www.spreaker.com/episode/grow...

Opening weekend always tells you something.

MLS Year 31 kicks off, #ATLUTD get their first test in Cincinnati, and Arsenal are navigating the psychological side of a title race.

Plus big NWSL growth and global headlines.

Today’s @soccerdownhere.bsky.social Morning Espresso is live.

Training Ground Notebook: Atlanta United Ready for Cincinnati Test Atlanta United’s identity under Tata Martino faces its first real test in Cincinnati. Structure, pressing, and endurance define Thursday’s message.

Atlanta United believes the identity is forming.

Tata says training ideas are translating.
Latte sees the press as a scoring weapon.
The season is being framed as a 10-month commitment.

Saturday in Cincinnati is the first real test.

🔗 www.soccerdownhere.net/post/trainin...

#ATLUTD #MLS

It was an honor to chat with @mikewoitalla.bsky.social about Atlanta, 2026, and beyond. Check it out, and subscribe if you haven’t, @socceramerica.bsky.social is vital to the sport in the U.S.

More depth up top for #ATLUTD

Jam packed AST tonight with @abegordon.bsky.social @madisoncrews7.bsky.social @osgnelson.bsky.social @jarrettsmith.bsky.social. Join us for a two hour #ATLUTD preview from 8-10pm on @929thegame.bsky.social & the Audacy app.

Training Ground Notebook: High Press, High Standards, Opening Day Ahead Atlanta United’s preseason is complete and the season begins Saturday in Cincinnati. Steven Alzate and Juan Berrocal explain Tata Martino’s intensity, pressing identity, and the defensive consistency ...

📍 Training Ground Notebook: High press, high standards, opening day ahead.

Alzate on fitness. Berrocal on identity. Tata’s system taking shape.

➡ www.soccerdownhere.net/post/trainin...

#ATLUTD #AtlantaUnited #MLS

A new round of "The Best of SDH AM" is up and running!

@sportico.bsky.social @kbadenhausen.bsky.social on the new #MLS valuations

LAGOS KUNGA has a new home in @heartsofpine.bsky.social

Northern Super League looks to year 2 with VP, Brand+ Content Kelly Shouldice

www.audacy.com/podcast/off-...

Ronald Hernández with a moment of real perspective here:

“Everyone has different issues. It’s how we face them.”

@madisoncrews7.bsky.social wrote a follow-up feature on mental health, faith, recovery, and the unseen side of the match. Worth your time.

www.soccerdownhere.net/post/mind-be...

Atlanta’s World Cup Mobility Plan: MARTA, Airport, and Downtown Access Atlanta believes its World Cup advantage is simple: movement. Airport, MARTA, downtown, and a city built to welcome the world.

Big thanks to @socceramerica.bsky.social for the shout in Soccer America Daily today.

If you’re not subscribed, you should be.

Atlanta World Cup mobility, MARTA, airport, downtown footprint:
www.soccerdownhere.net/post/atlanta...