NFL
By Keith Richards
Back in September, the United States Soccer Federation announced it would be relocating its headquarters with plans to grow soccer in the United States. The new headquarters will be called the National Training Center. Last week, USSF announced that the National Training Center found its home: Fayette County, Georgia. What is the purpose of the National Training Center and how will it impact soccer in the United States?
The National Training Center is made possible due to a generous $50 million donation from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. Regarding the need for such a facility, Blank stated, “America’s top athletes deserve the best when it comes to preparing them for competition on the global stage and I’m thrilled U.S. Soccer has chosen metro Atlanta as its new home.”
Mr. Blank would continue to say, “Atlanta’s incredible passion for soccer, corporate community and unmatched infrastructure make this a natural home for the National Training Center and I’m very confident our community will help America’s finest soccer players compete on a global level like never before.”
Indeed, the new headquarters will leave no stone unturned when it comes to facilities for soccer athletes. The National Training Center plans to include over a dozen soccer fields and over 100,000 sq. ft. of indoor courts. These courts will play host and home to all 27 U.S. Soccer National Teams, which will include the Senior Women’s and Men’s National teams.
In addition to the extensive fields, the NTC will include more than 200,000 sq. ft. of facilities, locker rooms, and meeting rooms, and serve as the headquarters for all U.S. Soccer Federation employees. Part of Blank’s gift will also go toward the construction of facilities specifically for U.S. Soccer’s Extended National Teams.
Speaking about the need for such an ambitious project, U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone stated, “This National Training Center will accelerate the growth of soccer in this country and will represent a commitment to developing elite soccer players for decades to come.”
Cone also stated, “Investing in youth and adult programs as well as our Extended National Teams reflects our commitment to ensuring that players of all ages and backgrounds can find a home and thrive in this sport. These investments are a signal to our players, coaches, referees, members and fans that the future of U.S. Soccer is bright.”
Far from just supporting and growing U.S. Soccer, the National Training Center is a project that will create over 400+ new jobs for the Fayette County area. This investment is valued to be more than $200 million. In addition, as part of U.S. Soccer’s vision of diversity and inclusion, USSF is committed to partnering with minority and/or women-owned businesses.
To be honest, there is no better time to strike while the iron is hot. When Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest soccer player of all time, decided to come to the United States and play for MLS’ Inter Miami, soccer in this country did something it rarely does outside of the National Teams. It became front-page headline news and briefly grabbed the attention of both casual and new soccer fans.
The U.S. Women’s National Team, though not stellar in the last World Cup, has long been one of the powerhouses of Women’s Soccer on the global stage. Even the U.S. Men’s National Team has started to gain prominence on the global stage and compete with the Women’s Team for popularity; though they still have a long way to go.
The National Training Center shows that the USSF is aware of the new interest in soccer in the United States. Cultivating current (and future) talent will only make the National Team that much better. In addition to the National Teams, MLS might grow as well. A growth in MLS could attract more players like Messi to the States.
Maybe one day, MLS will no longer be seen as a retirement league, but a quality league that can compete with the English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and Bundesliga. Absolutely, that’s an ambitious statement to make and a lofty goal, but why not? If the sky is the limit, USSF should keep its head in the clouds.
Team NBS Media will stay on top of new developments with the National Training Center. In addition, check out the other futbol content on the site.
