ABOUT US

Atlanta FC's ownership group includes a wide cross section of the local soccer community.  The Board of Directors includes prominent members of large amateur leagues, elite youth clubs, and grassroots organizations, bringing together representatives from the groups that drive soccer in the United States.  Roberto Vargas is the President of Liga Lawrenceville, the largest amateur league in the city of Atlanta.  Senobio Rivera owns the San Diego Silverbacks, one of the top amateur clubs in the city.  Chris Goeckel is the founder of Dinero Solutions, a leading company in providing innovative enterprise software solutions to companies around the world.  Artemio Rodriguez is a local business man and President of Alianza Soccer Club, one of the most successful new youth clubs in the state of Georgia.  Jose Portugal owns Portugal FC, one of the new top teams in Liga Lawrenceville. Ricardo Montoya played collegiately and professionally in the US, Costa Rica, Central America; has earned a professional ‘A’ coaching license from United States Soccer Federation; and also brings community experience as the Program Director for Soccer In The Streets.  Jason Longshore served as the Director of Operations for the Atlanta Ruckus of the A-League in the late 1990's, a role he will reprise with Atlanta FC, and brings additional community experience as the Communications Director for Soccer In The Streets.

The club was born out of a U23 team that came together to make a successful run to the National Cup finals last summer.  This team united players of many different nationalities in a common goal.  Players from the US, Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Honduras lined up next to players from Peru, Colombia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Puerto Rico, and Romania.  Once the tournament was complete, talks were held on how to continue this project to benefit both the players involved and the community at large.  The NPSL began seeking interested ownership groups for its new Southeast Division at around the same time.  Connections were made, and a team was born. 

"Atlanta FC will be the people's club, bringing together the various ethnic communities of Atlanta behind one team," said Longshore.  "We want to field the best team possible to represent Atlanta, a team for everyone, and a team that will allow us to express our soccer culture in the same way we did back in our countries and mix with existing cultures," said Montoya.