ATLANTA — MARTA is another step closer to its dream of connecting a network of soccer fields after opening its East Lake location dubbed "StationSoccer."
The transportation company, in collaboration with Soccer in the Streets, the City of Atlanta, Atlanta United Community Fund, Georgia Power, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, joined hands to commemorate the official opening of StationSoccer at East Lake Station on Saturday.
To celebrate a community celebration and pickup soccer games were hosted by Amazon.
“The opening of this 6th StationSoccer location marks another milestone in our mission to bring access and opportunity to soccer to communities across the city,” Elijah Miranda, Executive Director of Soccer in the Streets, said.
The East Lake location is poised to become a community focal point, 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 presents many opportunities. Beyond being a soccer initiative, it provides a safe and supportive environment to develop their soccer skills, promoting an active lifestyle.
“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,” Collie Greenwood, MARTA General Manager and CEO, said.
To MARTA and other sponsors, this access to sports is not just about playing a game but also about nurturing essential life skills that transcend the realm of sportsmanship.
“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,” Sen. Jon Ossoff said. “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.”
Conceived by Soccer in the Streets, StationSoccer is a citywide initiative to establish a network of soccer fields connected by MARTA, with the ultimate goal of forming a ten-station league easily accessible via transit. The journey of StationSoccer began at Five Points Station in 2016, resulting in the world's first soccer field built inside a transit station. Since then, it has expanded to West End in 2018, East Point in 2019, and Kensington and Lindbergh Center in 2022.
The involvement of the Global Village Project in the launch of East Lake StationSoccer is especially noteworthy, as the girls from the project contributed their artistic talents by creating custom Breeze Cards, adding a personal artistic touch to the entire event.
“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,” Andre Dickens, Atlanta Mayor, said. “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 StationSoccer program is set to expand further, with plans in place for additional fields at Doraville, Bankhead, H.E. Holmes, and Civic Center rail stations, ultimately completing the "League of Stations." To learn more about StationSoccer, visit Soccer in the Streets' website.
