This Day in Atlanta Soccer History: October 24
From a newspaper's optimism about soccer in 1912 to Atlanta United's playoff success in 2019, October 24 offers a look at different generations of the game in Atlanta.
1912: Atlanta Soccer's Early Optimism
On October 24, 1912, The Atlanta Journal published an article titled “Soccer Game Saturday; Fans Should Help Eleven,” encouraging Atlantans to support their local soccer team ahead of a match against Lithonia at Piedmont Park.
The match was scheduled for October 26 at 3:30 p.m., with free admission. But the article was about more than an upcoming game. It described the progress soccer had made in Atlanta after an earlier organizing effort faltered around 1910. By 1911, approximately four teams were playing in the city, and organizers believed the sport could continue to grow with stronger community support.
“Soccer football deserves good support in Atlanta,” the newspaper argued.
That optimism is especially interesting in hindsight. The outbreak of World War I would disrupt the lives of people involved in Atlanta's early soccer movement, including organizers who eventually left the city.
More than a century later, the article is a reminder that the ambition to build a lasting soccer culture in Atlanta existed long before the city's modern professional clubs.
1959: North Carolina Visits Emory
On October 24, 1959, North Carolina defeated Emory University 7-0 in a college soccer match in Atlanta.
Emory was coached by Bill Williams, and contemporary coverage described a sport still developing its foothold in the city's collegiate athletic landscape. The match was scheduled for 2 p.m., with the teams playing under a format of four 22-minute quarters.
The result offers another glimpse of organized soccer in Atlanta before the arrival of the Atlanta Chiefs in 1967. This was Emory's second season, while North Carolina's program had over a decade of experience before the match.
2019: Atlanta United Advances to the Eastern Conference Final
On October 24, 2019, Atlanta United defeated the Philadelphia Union 2-0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Julian Gressel opened the scoring in the 10th minute, lifting the ball over Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake after combining with Pity Martínez. Brad Guzan helped preserve the lead with a first-half save on Brenden Aaronson before Gressel set up Josef Martínez for the decisive second goal in the 80th minute.
The victory sent Atlanta United into the Eastern Conference Final for the second consecutive season. The defending MLS Cup champions would fall 2-1 to Toronto FC six days later.
October 24 Birthdays
Kylie Bivens (born 1978): A defender for the original Atlanta Beat in the Women's United Soccer Association from 2001 through 2003, Bivens was part of the United States squad at the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup. She turns 48 today.
Slobodan “Slobo” Ilijevski (1949–2008): The goalkeeper appeared for the Atlanta Chiefs during the 1980 NASL season before becoming one of the standout goalkeepers in the Major Indoor Soccer League with the St. Louis Steamers. Ilijevski was later inducted into the Indoor Soccer Hall of Fame.
This Day in Atlanta Soccer History is part of SDH's ongoing effort to document the people, teams, and moments that shaped soccer in Atlanta and across Georgia, from its earliest organized matches to the present day.
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