FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — U.S. Soccer Federation officials gathered at the National Training Center Thursday afternoon to send off the men’s national team as it set out for its inaugural camp at a long-desired facility.
Now, technically speaking, calling this camp a grand opening might be a bit of a stretch, since the facility is situated about 20 minutes south of Atlanta’s airport, in a zone that blends suburbia and rural charm. Still, it was definitely a noteworthy reveal.
The facility, generously backed by Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, Chick-fil-A chairman Dan Cathy, business mogul Michelle Kang, and various USSF sponsors, stands out as one of the most remarkable soccer complexes in the U.S., possibly even in the world.
Designed to cater not only to the men’s national team but also to all 27 U.S. Soccer national teams—including women’s, youth, beach, and adaptive sports—the 200-acre site boasts 17 outdoor fields, 13 natural grass pitches, two indoor fields, and a striking new building featuring 23,000 square feet of glass.
This site was once an empty cattle pasture until the groundbreaking in 2024.
“Our former sports director, Matt Crocker, had connections with England’s FA, so we visited St. George’s Park, their national training ground. We also explored places like our facilities in Carson and Kansas City,” Tom Norton, the facility’s general manager, shared. “Those visits inspired us, along with Augusta National and Wimbledon, as we envisioned the style and atmosphere of our grounds.”
During a camp at Atlanta United’s training facility in March, the federation purposely kept the players away from their new grounds until right before the World Cup, and during their visit, feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
Tyler Adams expressed it well when he said, “I feel like this is something the national team has needed for a really, really long time.”
Gio Reyna added, “I think everyone was expecting decent weather, but when we arrived, it was like our socks were blown off.”
And Sebastian Berhalter remarked, “This is the best facility I’ve ever been to in my life.”
Christian Pulisic chimed in with, “This facility is insane.”
Up to this point, U.S. soccer had no true home base. Even at the senior level, both men’s and women’s teams had to travel with equipment from city to city, making use of various MLS training facilities. Other teams, like youth, beach, and adaptive squads, faced similar challenges, albeit with less financial backing.
Emotion ran high as the first power chair team arrived at the new facility.
Norton noted, “They used to have to camp at a church nearby in Fayetteville, while parents dropped off kids for aftercare before heading to training. The kids didn’t even have a place to charge their chairs or shower.”
“The beach soccer team also lacked such a dedicated space. They arrived and were like, ‘Can I go out on the sand?’”
Amid tears and excitement, they embraced the new setting, even FaceTiming family and friends to share the experience.
This central facility offers a range of advantages to U.S. Soccer. The youth teams training in Fayetteville this week will have the chance to mingle with the senior men’s squad. Mauricio Pochettino was even tasked with training the Under-19 team, which added a special touch as they sent off the first team.
The federation envisions that coaches who might not have worked together before will now share ideas and practices in one space, ideally nurturing long-term progress.
The layout is significant as well. The practice field is designed like stairs due to the landscape, with the senior team training higher up and the youth teams on the lower levels. This setup visually symbolizes the ongoing quest for growth and future achievements.
Regarding the adaptive teams, Norton mentioned, “Both seniors and men’s and women’s teams provided feedback. It was heartening to see them in the new facility saying, ‘Oh, we discussed that,’ and now it’s a reality. We’ve consulted everyone, aiming to consider all aspects, not just the athletes.”
“We talked about the whole ecosystem. For us, that means everyone involved in American Soccer. All the state associations are now here, eager to host meetings and collaborate. We want every aspect of soccer to thrive under this roof.”
