Off the Woodwork

This week on the SDH Week in Review, we look back at a major week for soccer in Atlanta as Atlanta City FC officially unveils its name and identity ahead of its 2028 NWSL debut. Madison Crews and Jason Longshore catch up with Mauricio Culebro and Atlanta City FC VP and Chief Business Officer Deandra Duggans about building the new club, creating its identity, and what the launch means for women’s soccer in Atlanta. Then, Michael Parkhurst joins the Friday Free Kick to talk about communication, mentorship, helping young players navigate their careers, and his upcoming appearance on MLS 360. We close with Tuskegee men’s soccer head coach Matthew Tarpley for an update on the Golden Tigers’ inaugural season, the growth of the program, recruiting, and the continuing development of soccer at HBCUs. It’s the best of SDH AM from the Soccer Down Here Network. Catch the show live every Monday-Friday starting at 9:05 on the SDH YouTube and Twitch channels.

Jason Longshore reacts to the USMNT's 4-2 win over Chile and looks beyond the result at what the first two matches of the new World Cup cycle are revealing. Sebastian Berhalter and Malik Tillman continue to strengthen their cases, young players are being tested at the international level, goalkeeper and captain remain open questions, and growing depth is creating new decisions for Mauricio Pochettino ahead of matches with Mexico and Canada. Plus, Jason shares his thoughts on the Atlanta City FC name, crest and branding, and examines Atlanta United's continued improvement following its draw with New York City FC.

Abe Gordona and Jon Nelson break down United's comeback effort to force a draw against New York City FC! They also discuss Atlanta's slimming chances for the final playoff spot!

This week on the SDH Week in Review, we bring you some of the best conversations from SDH AM. Glenn Crooks, the play-by-play voice of NYCFC, joins us for opposition research ahead of Atlanta United’s matchup with New York City, including the impact of international absences, NYCFC’s recent struggles and how both sides could adjust their lineups. US Soccer Hall of Famer Marcelo Balboa drops by to discuss the USMNT, the packed international calendar and the latest around Major League Soccer, including San Diego FC and Austin FC. Then we continue an important conversation across the SDH Network about the growth and challenges of soccer at HBCUs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff women’s head coach Fred Locario takes us inside the process of building a program, recruiting nationally, developing the sport on campus and why greater investment in soccer at HBCUs matters. The SDH Week in Review is just a sample of what we do every week across the Soccer Down Here Network. Watch or listen to SDH AM every weekday beginning at 9:05 a.m. ET for conversations from Atlanta, across American soccer and around the world. You can find the show live on the SDH YouTube channel and across our platforms, with the audio available on your favorite podcast app. And start your day with Morning Espresso, our daily newsletter bringing together the stories, context and conversations you need from across the soccer world. Follow Soccer Down Here across our platforms for daily shows, interviews, match coverage, original reporting and more from every level of the game. soccerdownhere.net & @soccerdownhere on your social media platforms.

Atlanta United turned control into three points in Portland. Giuliano Galoppo impressed in his debut, Alexey Miranchuk scored the winner, and Matt Edwards came off the bench to win his battle with Kristoffer Velde. Jason Longshore breaks down the 1-0 win, the international call ups that will leave Atlanta shorthanded against NYCFC on Saturday night, and which Atlanta United 2 players could step in. Then it's a historic weekend for Atlanta United 2: a 4-2 Decision Day win at Orlando City B, a first ever playoff berth, a home playoff match on October 18, a Golden Boot for Arif Kovac and Playmaker of the Year for Cameron Dunbar. The 3-4-3 covers Georgia State, Kennesaw State, Federico Higuaín's firing at Columbus Crew 2, Argentina's players backing Lionel Scaloni, the return of the Women's Champions League and the NWSL's new player development rule.