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After World Cup exit, focus shifts to developing next generation of US soccer talent
By Joshua Skinner at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 8, 2026
· 2 min read
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The United States is out of the World Cup, but the mission to develop talent capable of competing with the world’s best soccer teams continues.Despite a 4-1 loss to Belgium that ended the U.S. run, Atlanta United color commentator and Soccer Down Here founder J...
Key takeaway Despite a 4-1 loss to Belgium that ended the U.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The World Cup exit of the US men's national team has brought attention to the financial barriers that limit access to youth soccer development in the United States, a concern that resonates in Atlanta's own soccer community. With high-level youth programs costing over $10,000 a year, many young players in metro Atlanta are priced out of opportunities to develop their skills. This is a stark contrast to overseas youth academies, which often subsidize costs, allowing more players to participate. As local soccer enthusiasts, such as Jason Longshore and Rafael Solorzano, point out, increasing access to the game is crucial for developing the next generation of US soccer talent. Atlanta's own soccer infrastructure, including programs like those offered by Best Buy Soccer, will be key in addressing this issue and providing opportunities for young players to develop their skills, regardless of their financial background.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: local ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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What is this story about? ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The United States is out of the World Cup, but the mission to develop talent capable of competing with the world’s best soccer teams continues.Despite a 4-1 loss to Belgium that ended the U.S. run, Atlanta United color commentator and Soccer Down Here founder J...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Joshua Skinner at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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