ATLANTA – When U.S. Soccer Assistant Sporting Director and former U.S. Men's National Team player Oguchi Onyewu took the stage at the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open U.S. Soccer’s new headquarters at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center, his first word encapsulated the noteworthy unveiling:
“Wow.”
The celebratory day marked one of the most significant moments in U.S. Soccer history. Arthur M. Blank, who donated $50 million dollars to the project, joined U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone, CEO and Secretary General JT Batson, Coca-Cola Executive Vice President Beatriz “Bea” Perez, and Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy on Thursday, May 7 to cut the ribbon and officially open the Federation’s new state-of-the-art facility in Fayette County, Ga.
As much as the event acknowledged Parlow Cone and Batson’s long-term vision, and the two-and-a-half years spent constructing the facility, the day was also about setting sights on the future. Onyewu welcomed attendees, which included MLS Commissioner Don Garber, U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Emma Hayes, and Atlanta United ambassador and former USMNT goalkeeper Brad Guzan. Two special guests accompanied Onyewu on stage: youth players from local Atlanta clubs AFC Lightning and Concorde Fire.
“Soccer players like Lucy and Reese will be able to walk into this facility and not just see what’s possible but imagine a legacy they will build within these walls,” Onyewu said. “They’ll be able to train here, grow here and carry forward a standard that continues to elevate soccer in this country for generations.
“This place will shape not just better players,” he continued. “It will shape better teams, better leaders, better education and a stronger future for this sport we all know and love. Today, we celebrate so much more than a ribbon-cutting. We celebrate a new chapter, a shared home and a bold, beautiful commitment to the future of soccer in America for generations to come.”
Hayes echoed Onyewu’s idea of a bold and beautiful commitment to the future. The possibilities are endless, according to the thoughtful manager who believes in seeing sports through a female lens. To her, a place like the National Training Center could allow new opportunities that align with her vision.
“My dream would be to have a female leadership academy here,” she said. “Even within our coaching education and across U.S, Soccer, we’re working hard to deliver the vision of positioning the female lens at the heart of everything we do, especially at WNT... I very much hope that within 10 years, we've redesigned the system for women, from coach education to the delivery, of coaching our players through that lens. What an exciting time to be involved with a project of that magnitude with an organization as progressive as ours.”
Someone significant to making it all possible is the man whose name appears above the entrance. Blank joined the cause because of his commitment to Parlow Cone and Baton’s vision. He recounted when the two leaders first approached Blank with their idea for this facility, Parlow Cone and Baton thoroughly presented decks to Blank, co-founder of The Home Depot.
Blank not only bought into their dreams then – he wants to continue to support them in the future.
“I hope you come knocking on our door many more times with additional ideas and ways we can support the vision and soccer growth throughout the United States and throughout the world as well,” he said. “Soccer brings so many great human attributes together in the most beautiful way… I hope I can be part of growth.”
Next to Blank in the audience was his son Josh who serves as vice president of executive strategy at his father’s company, Arthur M. Blank Sports & Entertainment (AMBSE). Perez noted that the two men, father and son, sitting side by side was symbolic. The men represent two generations: one that built the facility and the next that will live in it.
“We really should take a look at the legacy, the generations that will benefit from this,” Perez said. “We might not meet those people individually, but I can tell you someday they'll take your video of all the drama, fun stories, personalities and someone will be telling a documentary story of who was sitting here today and, more importantly, the students who benefited from it.”
One of the lead donors, Cathy, spoke to how the building continues Blank’s legacy. Blank has been a forward-looking leader in the soccer world and played a significant role in bringing professional soccer to Atlanta. He owns Atlanta United in Major League Soccer and the women’s team that will begin play in the NWSL in 2028. He’s also responsible for another state-of-the-art facility in the city: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which will host the FIFA 2026 World Cup this summer and keep its fan-first pricing in place for the global tournament.
Blank has been staunchly supportive of soccer in the United States, especially in Atlanta. If soccer is a force for good, as U.S. Soccer believes and states in its mission, then Blank has certainly done a lot good.
“It's wonderful that we are all called, regardless of our business, to be a force for good,” Cathy said. “That’s very inspiring.”
