A glimpse of the future: The soccer world descends upon Atlanta with the SheBelieves Cup

Satoshi Honda and Ikue Yamada, who have came from Birmingham at least eight times to watch Atlanta United, came on another one of their caravans to watch the Japanese men or women. Honda and Fujisawa are independently planning on going to the Summer Games in Paris to support Japan.

The SheBelieves Cup brought them together and the city a glimpse of what’s to come. Tzitas, Gonzalez, Weiss and Achtziger said they are already discussing coming to the Copa America and World Cup matches.

If some want more soccer before the 2026 World Cup, counting Saturday’s two SheBelieves Cup matches, there will be at least 21 soccer matches played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium by the end of the MLS season with an estimated 1 million tickets distributed. Those include the two in Copa America, one featuring Argentina and the other the U.S., the friendly between Chelsea and Club America this summer, two Leagues Cup matches, and Atlanta United’s 14 remaining MLS matches.

Saturday was mostly about the U.S., which held on for a 2-1 victory against Japan.

It wasn’t quite a housewarming for the team, whose new home will see shovels go into the ground on Monday as part of the first sweaty steps in the construction of the U.S. Soccer Federation’s new national training center and headquarters in Fayette County.

The opening game between the U.S. and Japan was tied 1-1 at the half. Japan ruined the celebratory mood when Kiko Seike scored in the 33rd second to give the guests a 1-0 lead. Mallory Swanson, married to former Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson, had a shot cleared off the line in the 15th minute. Jaedyn Shaw tied it in the 21st minute with a shot from 22 yards. Lindsey Horan gave the U.S. a 2-1 lead with a penalty kick in the 77th minute.

U.S. manager Twila Kilgore and players from both teams praised the crowd and stadium after the match, with Crystal Dunn summing it up in a very ATL way by saying “Atlanta has kind of a vibe.”

One person who perhaps appreciated it more than any other was Marietta’s Emily Sonnett, who made her 89th appearance for the U.S. when she came on as a sub in the second half.

Sonnett, who estimated she had 30 friends and family watching at the stadium, received the third-loudest cheers, only surpassed by the reactions to the goals. It was just her second time playing as a professional in Atlanta.

“I think the real answer’s electric,” she said of the environment. “It was awesome. I think having one in my hometown and breaking the record for us is great. I mean, it’s great for the sports community here and the support behind the team.”

There will be more to come.