We have had a great time celebrating the FIFA World Cup 2010™ – all while raising funds for SOS Children’s Villages (www.sos-usa.org).

Now it is time to close out the Atlanta International Soccer Fest in style. Join us at the posh settings of the W Hotel Buckhead!

Advanced Ticket Purchase:

All proceeds will benefit SOS Children’s Villages and SOS’ relief efforts in Haiti.

Catch World Cup Action with Geek Squad’s Work Excuse Note

Geek Squad, the first 24/7 national technology support task force, has teamed up with Atlanta International Soccer Fest (AISF), an initiative to raise funds for SOS Children’s Villages, to provide local employees the opportunity to view a World Cup semi-final match while still staying connected at work. Join colleagues July 7, at 5 Seasons Brewing, from 2-5 p.m. An “absentee package” complete with a customizable excuse note is available live on the Geek Squad blog. Plus, Geek Squad will provide free WiFi and an Agent will be available for assistance. Though it is a free event, portions of all purchases will go to SOS and donations to the charity can be made. For more information, visit the Geek Squad (www.geeksquad.com).

Wednesday, July 7, from 2– 5 p.m.

5 Seasons Brewing
1000 Marietta St.
Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 875-3232

The event is free and open to the public.

Geek Squad and AISF understand the disappointment among soccer fans that are forced to miss World Cup matches during the work day. Together, they can provide a solution to meet both needs: work and soccer.

Marissa Kandel
Ketchum for Geek Squad
Marissa.Kandel@Ketchum.com
(404) 879-9203

Whitney Martin
Ketchum for Geek Squad
Whitney.Martin@Ketchum.com
(404) 879-9136

The opening ceremonies have concluded and the first match of the tournament will be underway shortly. After years of hard work, the time has come for these 32 nations, and over the next month the world will come together through the common bond of football. Whether your watching from a crowded bar, the comforts of your home, or a stadium in Johannesburg, all eyes will be on Cape of Good Hope this summer.

Congratulations to South Africa on being the first African nation to host the FIFA World Cup™, and let the games begin!

Let us know which country you want to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup South™  by commenting below!

Dear Supporters:

First of all, on behalf of the players and coaches I would like to thank you for your terrific support of the Men’s National Team as we get ready for the FIFA World Cup™.

Clearly our main focus is on performing our best in South Africa. At the same time, we are always looking to the future. So today, I would like to take a moment to talk about the USA Bid to host this event in 2018 or 2022.

It would be a tremendous honor to host soccer’s greatest tournament, and FIFA is in the process of deciding right now if we will be selected. You can help convince them.

The USA Bid Committee has created a huge petition campaign to show FIFA just how much U.S. soccer fans want to host the World Cup. More than 450,000 people have already signed on — and now it’s your turn to join them.

In 1994, the United States hosted the most successful World Cup in history. With all the progress we have made in the sport since then, imagine the possibilities if we are given another opportunity.

There are more than 24 million soccer players across the United States, second-most in the world. And soccer continues to grow, from our youth leagues to MLS to our National Team program represented by the 23 players that are here in South Africa competing in this year’s event.

The next giant step in this development is to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022. Click below to sign the petition and join this nationwide movement to bring the World Cup back to the USA:
http://gousabid.com/USpetition

Over the next few weeks in South Africa, our team will be representing both our country and U.S. Soccer in the eyes of FIFA and the world. You can help us represent our sport off the pitch by supporting our Bid.

Yours in soccer,

Bob Bradley
Head Coach, U.S. Men’s National Team

Show your support for the USA in our quest to top the Popularity chart on the Facebook Goal! Leaderboard. We’re asking all fans to post the link on your wall and share with your friends to help the raise the U.S. flag to the top of the leader board. Show your passion as the Men’s National Team heads to South Africa!

That’s right, our friends from Univision are streaming all 64 games of the entire 2010 FIFA World Cup for free! Unlike ESPN3 where your internet service provider must pay for access, Univision can be viewed anywhere with an internet connection, including your smart phone.

So, go ahead and prepare for a LONG month because with the World Cup kicking off on Friday, your work load will surely get backed up.

Let us know who you want to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa by commenting below!

To know when you’re team is playing make sure you check out the schedule, so you won’t miss a second of the action.  Each team will play 3 games before moving into the knock out stage of the tournament, where they’ll need your full support.  We look forward to seeing you at the inaugural Atlanta International Soccer Fest!

Click to enlarge.

Want to win a free Microsoft Zune MP3 Player?

Simple.  All you have to do is get as many people as possible to like our Facebook Fan Page and you could win.  To learn more check out our Facebook page and start suggesting it to your friends today!

All proceeds from Atlanta International Soccer Fest will go to SOS Children’s Villages.

The Dutch, famous for their Orange Jerseys, will be looking forward to raise awareness and money for SOS Children’s Villages during the Atlanta International Soccer Fest, whilst trying to reach the Finals.

Our Head Coach Piet Wildschut, who played 11 international games for the Netherlands National Team and was on the 1978 Dutch squad playing Argentina in the Final, is excited to be a part of this great charity event. He is very active in Georgia as far as soccer is concerned and will give us special and secret instructions, confusing our opponents, and outscoring them in the process. In case that strategy doesn’t work, we’ll just offer them Heineken or Amstel Beer…..

You can see from the picture, we’ll be playing fast and furious. Holland is famous for Total Football and we hope to demonstrate this on June 12^th, even though some of our players have AARP memberships. Mind you, we also have (younger) secret weapons, but I cannot share any more information about this.

Team Holland is looking forward to an exciting day and our supporters will be there to cheer us to victory.  A special thank you to AKZO, McMeubel , Fokker, Fred Rappard and Avellino’s for their special ‘sponsorships’ for SOS Children’s Villages and the Atlanta International Soccer Fest.

Also, The Consulate of the Netherlands would like to thank all participants, and a special thank you to the Holland America Chamber for coordinating Team Netherlands.

Possibly the event will become a tradition, as soccer (or as we call it football) is celebrated all over the world and a great catalyst to bring people together.

It is our hope that our small contribution will pay off in many SOS Children’s Villages around the world!

Do you want to win some great prizes simply by sharing your love for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and helping children in need?

To truly make the Atlanta International Soccer Fest a success and positively impact the lives of young children around the world we need your help.

It’s simple – All you have to do is get as many of your friends as you can to like our page and you’ll be eligible to win one of our great prizes! With your help, we are certain that we can reach our goals to benefit SOS Children’s Villages.

Visit our Facebook page to play!

17 days left until the Atlanta International Soccer Fest 2010 kicks off and Team Germany is working hard to be well prepared. Last Friday we had another practice and we don’t look bad at all. Actually, it is looking pretty good for us without being prejudiced, of course. We have a great team and an awesome coach who knows what he is talking about. Of course I’m not going to tell you anything about our tactics, strengths or weaknesses – I haven’t noticed any so far, though. 

I’m really looking forward to the tournament and I’m glad that another female colleague joined our team (the guys have been treating me hard but nicely, though). Our expectations are high and our aim is, of course, to win the tournament on June 12 as well as Germany is going to win the FIFA World Cup on July 11. So other teams: Watch out – we are ready to rumble!

Do you think Germany can win the Atlanta International Soccer Fest Tournament and the FIFA World Cup?  Let us know what you think by commenting below!