Atlanta Fire takes on Virginia

Both Richmond USSF Academy teams, the Strikers and Kickers, were hosted by Atlanta Fire this past weekend in cross divisional games. The Kickers were first up on Saturday at a wet and soggy EE Robinson Park field. AFU's u-16 dominated the first half wasting several well worked opportunities to take the lead and control of the game. Chris Harrison was subbed in at the half and had an immediate impact causing the Kicker's defense problems. The deadlock was finally broken when a freekick was served up by Lewis Martin and Harrison finished with a well placed header. AFU was able to hold on and win by the single goal with some committed, and organized defending.

The u-18's game was abandoned just after half-time when the referee deemed the conditions unplayable due to heavy rain, lightning, and deteriorating field conditions. The final score a 1-1 stalemate with Ryan King equalizing the Kicker's early goal just before half time. Certainly an opportunity missed by the 18's as the Kicker's had a player red-carded in the first half and seemed to be gaining control of the game when it was called off.

On Sunday the Richmond Strikers provided a very different challenge for AFU. After 38 minutes of even play the Strikers broke through the defense of AFU capitalizing on a defensive error. The 2nd half much was of the same until the final 20 minutes when the Strikers upped the tempo and scored 4 goals to AFU's 1. A disappointing loss but no doubt motivation for next weeks game vs Birmingham.

Atlanta Fire's u-18's were in for a similar day as they started slow and were punished by the Strikers with two early goals within 15 minutes. AFU recovered from the intitial blitz and created some very good chances but Strikers defended resolutely and added to their lead late in the game with two more strikes. A tough day for the u-18's however they remain 2nd in the division 4 points behind the Weston Fury.

Atlanta Fire is hosting division rivlas Birmingham United at SHP this Saturday at 2pm and 4pm respectively. Please come out and and show your support for your AFU Academy teams.

Solid Weekend Versus Chargers

Atlanta Fire United hosted divisional rivals the Clearwater Chargers from Florida in their season home opener at the weekend. The u-16 team led at the half 1-0 after some good work by Roberto Hinojosa set up Chris Harrison for the first goal. Clearwater scored two goals after halftime to lead 2-1 until late in the game when some more good work by Roberto set up Juan Herrera at the far post for a simple tap in equalizing goal.

The u-18's got off to great start when they were awarded a penalty when Ryan King was adjudged to have been fouled in the box. Brady O'Brien stepped up and confidently scored from the spot. Then just before halftime Lucas Ade beat two players and laid the ball back for Ryan King to side foot home. Clearwater scored with 15 minutes to go in the game to bring it back to 2-1 but were unable capitalize and the Fire held on for the 2-1 win.

Mixed Results in Miami

Saturday the 5th of September marked the opening of the 2009/10 USSF academy league. Atlanta Fire travelled to Miami to take on Miami FC Kendall and Weston Fury. The u-16's settled for a hard fought 0-0 tie in the first game and the u-18's followed that up with a strong performance beating Miami 2-1 with goals from Taylor Krek and Stephen Dunbar. The follwoing day proved to be more challenging as the u-16's were downed 4-1 by Weston with the solitary goal for AFU coming from Stephen Conde. The u-18's battled admirably against a very talented Weston team and lost a very tight game 2-1, Alec Kronitz was on target for AFU.
The academy teams will be hosting the Clearwater Chargers from Clearwater Florida in their home opener this Sunday at 9am and 11am respectively at Scott Hudgens Park. We would like the club to get behind our top two boys teams and come out and support them.

Countdown to Miami Season Opener

Welcome to Atlanta Fire United's USSF Academy blog...We hope you will follow along and support us throughout the upcoming year. If you would like more detailed info about the USSF Developmental Academy League please go to our homepage www.atlantaunitedsoccer.com or www.ussoccer.com.

Atlanta Fire's u-16 and u-18 academy teams are gearing up and getting very excited for their opening weekend of the season in Miami, Florida on September 5th and 6th. Both teams have been working extremely hard on the the training ground to prepare for what would be Atlanta Fire's 3rd season in the USSF Developmental Academy league. Having shown steady improvements in the previous two years we are looking to build on those improvements and have our most successful season yet in both age groups.

Both AFU's teams are buzzing with anticipation and eager to test themselves against the very best players and teams in the southeast region and ultimately the nation. The first two games will provide very stiff competition for us with Miami FC Kendall providing the season opener and Academy newcomers Weston rounding out the weekend on Sunday the 6th. Kendall are a powerhouse out of downtown Miami and are usually a very skilled and crafty team. Weston are led by former Atlanta fire coach Carlos Parra, who we are really looking forward to seeing again, will no doubt have his teams very well organized and ready for action.