Big few days for Atlanta soccer

What better place to be over the next few days than the ATL? Well, besides Seattle and Rochester. You'd probably think I'd be antsy about the start of the Mexican League this weekend, but it's what's going on within the Atlanta soccer community that has me buzzing.

As Shoe mentioned in his earlier post, the Liga Lawrenceville U-23's take the field at the USASA National Championship up in Seattle at 7 p.m. EST today. A win today puts them in the final at 3 p.m. EST on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta Silverbacks women hit the turf at PAETEC Park in Rochester at 5:30 this afternoon where they'll take on Seattle in the semifinals of the W-League Championship. Let's hope they can get the trophy, which would be a small consolation for all the times the Beat came so close but never won.

I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't mention tomorrow night's Silverbacks Men's game against Charleston, one that's important if they're going to make the playoffs. The 'Backs are currently tied for 8th place with Charleston, and with only 3 home games remaining, they need the full 9 points from their home matches to make a serious charge at getting into the postseason.

And in this hidden nugget, Tuesday night brings the USA U-17 World Cup team, who will be warming up for the tournament with a friendly against the Costa Rican U-17s. The game will be held at Kennesaw State at 7:30. Unfortunately we'll be defending our top spot in the division at Silverbacks Park at that time and won't be able to make it.

But watch out for Bryan Dominguez, an Atlanta kid who was named to the team on Thursday. Hopefully head coach John Hackworth will give him some time on the field in his hometown.