For the third time in 13 months, Atlanta took another step toward showing it can be a soccer city.
Citing the cancellation of concerts in the area because of the economy, organizers said they weren't disappointed with a crowd of more than 33,000 fans who attended Wednesday's exhibition match between Mexico's Club America and England's Manchester City in the Aaron's International Soccer Challenge.
The event was about more than the 1-1 draw, which Manchester City won 4-1 in penalty kicks. It was about showing the Atlanta area has a passion for the other "football."
The game's organizers said they hoped, but didn't expect, to get crowds as robust as in last year's games between Mexico and Venezuela, and A.C. Milan and America, which combined for more than 100,000 at the Georgia Dome. Add in those who attended Wednesday, and it's another small boost to Atlanta's hopes to be one of the hosts for the World Cup in 2018 or 2022, should FIFA announce Dec. 2 that the United States will get either event.
Also, the Aaron's International Soccer Challenge is scheduled to return next year.
"As you build a brand, build a marketplace, build a sport, all these things build on each other," said Gary Stokan, the chairman for the Atlanta World Cup organizing committee. "This is another brick in the foundation to make Atlanta a soccer hotbed."
The payoff could be the $400 million economic impact that comes with hosting some of the World Cup games, as well as building a sport that already has more than 80,000 players registered with the Georgia State Soccer Association.
"Soccer, or any sport, is as big a sport as your father makes it," Jeffrey T. Bowman, the CEO of Crawford and Company said. "The U.S. is in that patch where kids are coming through the ranks in more and more numbers."
Bowman, who originally is from England, co-chairs a group of CEOs and other executives of companies in Atlanta who are working together to improve the city's image globally through soccer.
He said games such as Wednesday's event help, but the city needs a Major League Soccer team if it wants to improve its image and its chances to help host the World Cup.
Atlanta is one of 18 cities included in the United States' bid to host the World Cup. Of those, it is the largest city without an MLS team. In addition to a team to help the city's soccer image, Atlanta also would need a stadium larger than the 71,228-seat Georgia Dome if it hopes to host the World Cup final.
"To go for the World Cup we've got to have the facilities," Bowman said.
But Wednesday night was about the game.
Manchester City came to Atlanta trying to erase institutional memories of being beaten twice in the summer of 1968 by the upstart Chiefs, the city's first professional soccer team. It was also trying to improve its record to 2-2 on its current tour of the United States.
America came to Atlanta trying to defend its Challenge title, having beaten A.C. Milan 2-1 last summer.
Manchester City scored first when English starlet Adam Johnson was knocked down in the penalty box by Aquivaldo Mosquera on what looked to be a solid tackle. The referee, however, awarded a penalty kick that Emmanuel Adebayor coolly slotted to the left for the 1-0 lead in the 36th minute.
Club America answered when halftime sub Enrique Esqueda beat Joleon Lescott, also a halftime sub, to a long pass down the middle of the field. Esqueda turned and fired a shot back across the goal that beat keeper Shay Given to tie the game 1-1 at 46:30.
Adebayor just missed giving Manchester City the lead in the 87th minute when his deftly touched shot from eight yards away hit the crossbar. America had a chance in the 89th minute, but a direct kick skimmed across Given's crossbar.
The win and the time in Atlanta was especially sweet for Manchester City assistant coach Brian Kidd, who played for the Chiefs in 1981.
"This is sentimental for me," Kidd said. "I'll always have fond memories of the people. Atlanta is always close to my heart."
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