THE WPSL WELCOMES ATLANTA FIRE UNITED FOR 2023 SEASON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATLANTA (Feb. 28, 2023) - The Women’s Premier Soccer League announced today that Atlanta Fire United becomes the second Atlanta-based expansion for its 25^th season this summer. Atlanta Fire United will compete in the nine-team Southeast Conference of the league’s South Region.
 

“It’s amazing and refreshing to be part of an organization such as the WPSL,” Mirza Mustafic, Atlanta Fire United executive director, said. “Our goal has always been to create a pathway for all our female players and now we have it by playing in the WPSL. In addition, [joining the league] supports our vision of promoting and supporting the women’s game not just at AFU but for the entire Atlanta community.”
 

Founded in 1980 as West Gwinnett Soccer Club, Atlanta Fire United has been dedicated to providing opportunities for youth to enjoy the game of soccer for over 40 years. As one of the oldest soccer organizations in Georgia and the Atlanta metro, Atlanta Fire United is one of the founding members of the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL).
 

For its inaugural WPSL season, the club has named Domenic Martelli and Garth Pollonais as its coaches. Martelli, who also serves as AFU’s director of recruiting, played four years at The Ohio State University from 1985-1988 and brings forth a pedigree of collegiate coaching experience from West Point, Georgia State University, and Georgia Gwinnett College. Martelli has been an ECNL head coach with AFU since 2015 and is in his eighth year as head coach for Pinecrest Academy’s boys and girls soccer programs.
 

“This is a great opportunity for Atlanta Fire United to be a member of the WPSL,” Martelli said. “We are creating avenues into the women’s league for former AFU players and current college players who want to play at the highest level. I am excited to coach all these great players in the WPSL.”
 

Pollonais, who currently serves as AFU’s director of coaching and ECNL director, will assist Martelli’s efforts in leading the club’s WPSL squad. The Trinidad and Tobago native has played professionally with clubs including the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Charleston Battery, and the Raleigh Flyers as well as representing his country internationally.
 

“It [Playing in the WPSL] will provide the players with an opportunity to continue their development while playing in some meaningful and competitive games during the summer,” Pollonais said. “We believe this platform enhances the programming within the club.”
 

The club rounds out its WPSL coaching staff with the additions of Trey Henderson, who’s been with AFU since 2012 and currently serves as assistant coach for Georgia Gwinnett College’s women’s program, and Savannah Castles, who will lead the club’s Sports Performance with experience working with NFL, MLS, and NBA athletes and is a former collegiate and WPSL player.
 

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For more information about Atlanta Fire United visit its official website or social platforms on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  More information about the WPSL can be found at wpslsoccer.com
 

About the Women’s Premier Soccer League

Celebrating its 25th season of play in 2023, the Women’s Premier Soccer League is the most tenured and largest women’s soccer league in the world – with an all-time high 131 teams competing in 33 U.S. states and 73 metro areas. Team rosters feature current and former collegiate players, the nation’s top prep prospects, and international standouts. The amateur summer league produced more than 70 percent of the selections in the 2023 NWSL College Draft and WPSL alumnae represent 50 percent of the members of the United States women’s national team.