Atlanta Rovers FC — LGSA (8-5-2023)

 

Today was a historic day, as I went for my first-ever groundhop with my oldest son! Given that we live pretty far away from any half-decent team, and all decent teams play almost exclusively in the evening (which is too late for him), we ended up with a game in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL), a national soccer league, which runs regional sub-leagues across the country, including one in Georgia. So, we drove about 73 miles (roughly 100 km) to Jonesboro, Georgia, but when we arrived there, something looked suspicious. There were hundreds of people, which never is the case in lower league soccer in the US.

 

Turns out, there was a high school band competition, a big event in the South, particularly within the African American community. After several minutes of panic, we found out that the game was still played, at the same time, but at Southern Crescent Stadium, which turned out to be only 10 min away, in Riverdale, GA.

 

Southern Crescent Stadium is home to the football team of the local high school, an amazing venue for school kids to play their sports. It has an Astroturf football pitch (with additional soccer lines) and two main stands, both pretty sizeable – I guestimate a total capacity of several thousand. Obviously, nowhere near as many people show up for a UPSL game. In fact, only some 50 people were there for this free game, almost all Hispanic, like most players, and mainly representing 6 groups of people related to a player. I think there were three other fans without family connections in the stadium.

 

The season of the UPSL Premier League – Georgia Division had started already in March – unfortunately, I only found out about the existence of this league in early May – and neither team had started too well. After five games, LGSA (from Norcross, GA) were near the bottom and Atlanta Rovers (from Marietta, GA) a bit above the middle.

 

We arrive 13 minutes late and the home team is already 1-0 up. It is unexpectedly hot, at least 30C (and possible hotter in the sun) and the main stand is uncovered and in the sun. Taking a hint from the few people in the stand, I get my umbrella out of my car and sit under it with my son, which helps. Although Atlanta Rovers are 1-0 up, LGSA seems to be the better team. In the 35^th minute, the guests play a good through ball but the goalie comes out and deflects the shot with one hand. The corner doesn’t bring anything.

 

In the 41^st minute we see the first shot of the hosts, which goes well over. But the next minute they get a penalty after a clumsy foul in the penalty box, which is well converted: 2-0. That is also the half time score.

 

The level of play has been pretty poor in the first half and the second half is not better. The pitch is very dry and both teams seem to have a problem with estimating the pace of the ball. Most crosses are poor and players have very mediocre control, despite playing on Astroturf. In the 65^th minute LGSA has only its second corner, which is cleared, after which a remarkably effective counter attack is finished – helped by clumsy goalkeeping: 3-0 and game over.

 

Although the Atlanta Rovers have not really been the better team, the big difference with LGSA is that they converted the few chances they got. After the 3-0 the game becomes even more dire, not helped by the heat, undoubtedly. It is a bit cruel of the referee to play 3 minutes of extra time.

 

By U.S. lower league standards, this wasn’t too bad a game. The stadium was very decent – although could have used a cover for the sun – and the fans were small in numbers but big in atmosphere. I’ll definitely go to another UPSL game (with my son)!