Atlanta was left off the 1994 World Cup host city list the day after the United States won the bid. This is the story of how the city spent 35 years building its way to a 2026 semifinal.

"When you say you're with Atlanta, then people know and understand. Atlanta is U.S. soccer to people around the world." — Vic Rouse, Atlanta Chiefs head coach, February 1969 Atlanta did not discover soccer when Atlanta United arrived. Atlanta United discovered what had been here all along. This is that story. The history of soccer in Atlanta stretches back more than a century, to immigrant communities kicking a ball at Piedmont Park in 1908 and a handful of Scotsmen and Engli