The United States Soccer Federation said Friday it plans to build a training hub for national teams in the Atlanta area after receiving a multi-million dollar donation from tycoon Arthur Blank.
Blank, the billionaire owner of the Atlanta Falcons NFL franchise and Atlanta United Major League Soccer team, has pledged $50 million for the project, US Soccer said in a statement.
The federation said the new National Training Center would serve as headquarters for US Soccer and be a central hub for players, coaches and referees.
The center will be used by all 27 of US Soccer’s national teams while part of Blank’s contribution would also go towards facilities specifically designed for the federation’s extended national teams, including cerebral palsy and deaf teams.
“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,” US Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone said in a statement.
“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 US Soccer is bright.”
US Soccer said officials were studying a number of potential sites for the facility, with a final decision to be made in January 2024.
