It's a Goal! Plan Would Bring Soccer Fields to MARTA Stations

MIDTOWN, GA -- If you're riding public transit and want to enjoy a game of soccer, the MARTA station may soon be your destination rather than a quick stopover.

Soccer fields are coming to 10 MARTA stations as part of a civic initiative that aims to bring sportsmanship and life skills to children in underserved communities around Atlanta.

One MARTA soccer field already has been built, debuting at the Five Points Station downtown in October.

"Soccer Station - Five Points" is the brainchild of the organization Soccer in the Streets, which sees its Soccer Station project as one part youth development, the other part community outreach.

"By building a network of communities around transit we are integrating youth and adults whilst we grow the soccer culture and giving access to all," Soccer in the Streets board member Sanjay Patel said in a news release. “We do hope to make the vision of a league of stations become a reality.”

In late October, the organization unveiled the Five Points soccer field to much fanfare.

“Thanks to the [Atlanta United Foundation], we have already implemented an after-school soccer program in six APS elementary schools that has served 240 children," Lauren Desmond, Soccer in the Streets’ director of Coaching and Education, said in a release. "The support of the AUF, APS, and local families are key factors in building a soccer culture on the west side.”

According to WXIA, Soccer in the Streets will bring soccer fields and programs to these 10 MARTA stations:

• Five Points
• Ashby
• Edgewood
• Kensington
• Brookhaven
• Doraville
• Sandy Springs
• Oakland City
• College Park
• Arts Center

The soccer program is part of a partnership between Soccer in the Streets, MARTA and the city's professional soccer ballclub, Atlanta United. The franchise is slated to begin play in 2017 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Images courtesy of Soccer in the Streets