Saturday, June 7, 2014
As a child I grew up playing rec soccer. Now mind you I wasn’t very fast and my ball control skills were not very good so I usually played as a fullback on defense. But I did really enjoy the game. That’s why I am always stoked to get a chance to head over to the Atlanta Silverbacks soccer complex no matter the assignment. Saturday, in particular, I got the chance to take photographs of the Atlanta International Soccer Fest. It was kind of a mash up of a soccer tournament, a kid’s clinic, an international celebration, a celebration of the World Cup and a fundraiser for SOS Children’s Villages. Teams played against one another throughout the day in half field games, there was international entertainment including a samba demonstration by Dance Brasil Entertainment, food, a deejay, raffles for vacation trips as well as tickets to World Cup games and all of it was to raise money for the non profit that since 1949 has been able to provide stable, loving homes to orphaned and abandoned children in over 130 countries.
John Toussaint (left) and Thierry Jules talk as they watch their teams play during the Atlanta International Soccer Fest at the Atlanta Silverbacks’ soccer complex on Saturday, June 7, 2014.
Timo Kontio (right) scores a goal on Jose Villanueva during the Atlanta International Soccer Fest at the Atlanta Silverbacks’ soccer complex on Saturday, June 7, 2014.
Three-year-old Juan Manuel Munoz kicks the ball into the goal during the Atlanta International Soccer Fest at the Atlanta Silverbacks’ soccer complex on Saturday, June 7, 2014.
Tyrik Francis (left) and Peter Ngcobo collide as they compete for control of the ball during the Atlanta International Soccer Fest at the Atlanta Silverbacks’ soccer complex on Saturday, June 7, 2014.
Soza DeLio (center) tries to kick the ball past Oscar Orango (left) and Kevin Glendon as Brazil takes on El Salvador during the Atlanta International Soccer Fest at the Atlanta Silverbacks’ soccer complex on Saturday, June 7, 2014.
Jonathan DeMatos (left) sits in the stands with his mother Elaine as they watch soccer during the Atlanta International Soccer Fest at the Atlanta Silverbacks’ soccer complex on Saturday, June 7, 2014.
Thiago DeFaria (center) tries to kick the ball past defenders as Brazil takes on El Salvador during the Atlanta International Soccer Fest at the Atlanta Silverbacks’ soccer complex on Saturday, June 7, 2014.
Federico Galeano (left), consul general for El Salvador Claudia Valenzuela and Virginia Corozo react as their team almost scores during the Atlanta International Soccer Fest at the Atlanta Silverbacks’ soccer complex on Saturday, June 7, 2014.
Jaime Carrizales Jr. kicks a miniature soccer ball around the field during the Atlanta International Soccer Fest at the Atlanta Silverbacks’ soccer complex on Saturday, June 7, 2014.
Carlos Dominguez (right) has his face painted by Dee Brantley during the Atlanta International Soccer Fest at the Atlanta Silverbacks’ soccer complex on Saturday, June 7, 2014.
Andrea Moreira (center) Dirlene Carr (right) and Adriane Johnston dance during the Atlanta International Soccer Fest at the Atlanta Silverbacks’ soccer complex on Saturday, June 7, 2014.
Edson Silva (left) plays the drums as Dirlene Carr and Andrea Moreira dance during the Atlanta International Soccer Fest at the Atlanta Silverbacks’ soccer complex on Saturday, June 7, 2014.
Dirlene Carr (right), Andrea Moreira and Adriane Johnston dance during the Atlanta International Soccer Fest at the Atlanta Silverbacks’ soccer complex on Saturday, June 7, 2014.