Before Atlanta became a World Cup city, it was the birthplace of youth soccer in America. More than 50 years ago, our Decatur Family YMCA and the Atlanta Chiefs launched one of the nation’s first organized youth soccer leagues, introducing a little-known sport to local children and families.

What started on a small field in Decatur helped create a model that spread across the YMCA movement and beyond. Today, hundreds of thousands of children play YMCA soccer each year, and soccer has become one of the most popular youth sports in the United States.

It’s a remarkable piece of Atlanta history that many people have never heard.  3-part series video