FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2023
MARTA,
SOCCER IN THE STREETS CELEBRATE OFFICIAL OPENING OF STATION SOCCER AT EAST LAKE
STATION
ATLANTA - The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and Soccer in the Streets, along with the City of Atlanta, Atlanta United Community Fund, Georgia Power and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta held a community celebration and pickup soccer games hosted by Amazon to mark the official opening of
StationSoccer at East Lake Station.
The East Lake location will be a focal point for the community serving students from the Global Village Project, Villages of East Lake and Decatur Housing Authority. For the girls from the Global Village Project, StationSoccer at East Lake holds immense
promise. The benefits they gain from this initiative are multifold. It provides them with a safe and supportive environment to hone their soccer skills, promoting an active lifestyle. This access to sports is not just about playing a game but also developing essential life skills that go beyond the boundaries
of sportsmanship.
The Global Village Project’s involvement in the opening of East Lake StationSoccer is particularly special, as the girls created the artwork for custom Breeze Cards, adding a personal artistic touch to this significant occasion. This partnership exemplifies Global Village Project’s dedication to empowering refugee girls
through education and their impact on the local community.
“This new StationSoccer location will not only connect children through the love of soccer and refine their skills, but cultivate friendships that extend far beyond the field, enriching lives and strengthening the bonds of our community,” said MARTA
General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood. “We want to thank our valued partners at Soccer in the Streets, City of Atlanta, Atlanta United Community Fund, Amazon, Georgia Power and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Your dedication to this shared vision has made this endeavor a reality.”
The brainchild of Soccer in the Streets, StationSoccer is a citywide project to create a network of soccer fields connected by MARTA, to eventually form a ten-station league that is easily accessible by transit. StationSoccer was launched at Five Points
Station in 2016, resulting in the first soccer field in the world built inside a transit station, and has since expanded to West End in 2018, East Point in 2019, and Kensington and Lindbergh Center in 2022.
“Soccer in the Streets is one of the best initiatives that we have going in the metro region right now, and I'm grateful to all who support it,” said Sen. Jon Ossoff. “Senator Warnock and I worked together to bring Republicans and Democrats in the Senate together
to pass a $1 million appropriation to support Soccer in the Street’s efforts across Metro Atlanta, and we're going to continue supporting their efforts.”
“From being the home of Atlanta United, to hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to the relocation of U.S. Soccer headquarters, Atlanta is fast becoming the soccer capital of the nation,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “The StationSoccer program is a unique and impactful collaboration that provides recreational opportunities
across our city. We are thrilled to add yet another location at East Lake, creating a larger soccer community connected by transit.”
“The opening of this 6thStationSoccer location marks another milestone in our mission to bring access and opportunity to soccer to communities across the city,” said Executive Director of Soccer in the Streets Elijah Miranda. “With Senator Ossoff’s
support, we're not only kicking off new recreational sports opportunities at East Lake, but the impact of our soccer programming is powered by important lessons in social emotional learning and leadership skills.”
"Part of our vison for Atlanta to become the epicenter of soccer in North America is for our club to inspire future generations to play,” said Atlanta United President and CEO Garth Lagerway.“This partnership is vital to an overall strategy through the
Atlanta United Community Fund to continue building safe places to play in under resourced communities. We are grateful to have a partner like Soccer in the Streets and look forward to launching future StationSoccer locations.”
“Amazon is proud to once again be a part of history by joining Soccer in the Streets and MARTA as a sponsor for the grand opening of the East Lake StationSoccer,” said Terreta Rodgers, Amazon’s Head of Community Affairs, Atlanta Region.” We value partnerships that bring our community together, providing recreation and a safe
environment for our youth to grow and maintain active lifestyles.”
“At Georgia Power,we're committed to improving the communities we're privileged to call home," said Misty Fernandez, Region Director for GA Power. "We're excited to work with the City of Atlanta, MARTA and other leaders to help bring the power of sport to strengthen this community including donating new lighting to enhance
the experience of athletes and improve safety. As a long-time supporter of Soccer in the Streets, we are proud to be a partner in creating access to greenspaces, opportunities for social and physical well-being, and equity for underserved communities”
The StationSoccer program will continue to expand with plans for fields at Doraville, Bankhead, H.E Holmes, and Civic Center rail stations completing the “League of Stations.” To learn more visit
StationSoccer™ - The Story — Soccer in the Streets (soccerstreets.org).
For photos and videos of the official opening of StationSoccer at East Lake station click here
StationSoccer East Lake Station EPK
