Atlanta crowd boosts World Cup ‘image event’

As an announced crowd of 50,306 congregated at the Georgia Dome Wednesday for the World Football Challenge match between AC Milan and Club América, local organizers were hopeful the turnout solidifies Atlanta’s bid to host potential World Cup matches.

Even though any games played here wouldn’t be for nearly another decade at the earliest, time is running short to make a decisive impression. Atlanta and 36 other cities have a July 29 deadline to turn in their bids to the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Atlanta youths bring out the Club América flag before Wednesday's World Football Challenge match at the Georgia Dome. (photo by David Tulis)

“The bid is pretty much written,” said Scott Moran, a partner with the law firm of Berman Fink Van Horn and president of the Atlanta Fútbol Project, which is spearheading the World Cup effort.

The USSF will narrow down its list of finalist cities to 12 by next spring, when its bids for either the 2018 or 2022 World Cups are due to FIFA. Both of those hosting nations will be announced in December 2010.

Moran said no future games in Atlanta are in the pipeline for the time being. If Atlanta is one of the cities chosen by the USSF for its World Cup bid, further site visits would follow in the coming months.

Also coming away roused by the festivities were the fans in a crowd-pleasing match won by Club América by a 2-1 score. Daniel Marquez headed home the winning goal in the 84th minute.

AC Milan’s Ronaldinho, who was named the man of the match, also wowed the crowd all night. After the game, as both teams departed the Dome, several Club América players asked the Brazilian national team star to pose for pictures. He eagerly obliged, flashing his famous gap-tooth grin. Ronaldinho clearly enjoyed the space and creativity he’s expected to demonstrate following the departure of his countryman Kaká to Real Madrid in a controversial $92 million transfer this summer.

While the crowd cheered on both teams, those behind Club América were constantly on their feet. During an offensive sequence in which AC Milan defenders tried, but failed, to win possession, those supporting the Mexican team chanted: “Olé! Olé! Olé!”

AC Milan's Ronaldinho was the man of the match, but Club América got the win. (photo by David Tulis)

The match was the AC Milan debut for American defender Oguchi Onyewu, who entered at the start of the second half. He was caught flat footed with Club América’s Enrique Escueda powered home a cross from Salvador Cabañas in the 56th minute. Ten minutes later, AC Milan unleashed a quick counterattack, with Mathieu Flamini serving up a sizzling long ball that Filippo Inzaghi finished to draw even at 1-1.

There was a feisty sequence between those goals triggered by AC Milan’s rugged Gennaro Gattuso. The teams had to be separated near midfield, and a few yellow cards were shown. This may have been a preseason friendly for both teams, but the World Football Challenge also is a competitive tournament with a round robin format.

While the winner of that event will be determined over the weekend, Atlanta World Cup organizers will have to wait several agonizing months to learn if their aspirations will go into extra time.