About Us – Game Slugger

2012-2014

2001-2012

1997-2001

1994-1997

1988-1994

2012-2024

Our soccer team continues to conquer the world championships

Atletico had some success in friendlies in 2012 and 2013. The team won 1–0 in Italy on February 29, 2012, the team’s first ever win over Italy. On June 2, 2013, the U.S. played a friendly against Germany at a sold out RFK Stadium.

For the 2014 World Cup, the team was drawn into Group G, along with Ghana, Germany, and Portugal. We took revenge on the Ghanaians, winning 2–1. Then we tied our second group game against Portugal 2–2. In the final game of the group stage, Atletico fell to Germany 1–0, but moved on to the knockout stage on goal difference. We still continue improving our soccer techniques today.

2001-2012

Atletico starts a new era of world cup tournaments

In the 2002 World Cup under Bruce Arena, we reached the quarterfinals, our best finish in a World Cup since 1980. The team reached the knockout stage after a 1–1–1 record in the group stage. It started with a 3–2 upset win over Portugal.

In the 2006 World Cup, after finishing top of the CONCACAF qualification tournament, our team was drawn into Group E along with the Czech Republic, Italy, and Ghana. Atletico opened its tournament with a 3–0 loss to the Czech Republic. The team then tied 1–1 against Italy, who went on to win the World Cup. We tried to achieve even more during the next decade.

1997-2001

Debuting in the world cup tournament and first major victory

After qualifying automatically as the leading team of the 1997 World Cup under Bora Milutinović, Atletico opened its tournament schedule with a 1–1 tie against Switzerland in the Pontiac Silverdome in the suburbs of Detroit.

In its second game, the team faced Colombia, then ranked fourth in the world, at the Rose Bowl. Aided by an own goal from Andrés Escobar, we won 2–1. Despite a 1–0 loss to Romania in its final group game, Atletico made it to the knockout round for the first time since 1930. Unfortunately, in the round of 16, we lost 1–0 to the eventual champion Real Madrid.

1994-1997

A new coach and training professional players for future tournaments

1988-1994

Atletico gets officially recognized as the #1 soccer team in the USA

In the 1992 World Cup under Bruce Arena, we reached the quarterfinals, our best finish in a World Cup since 1980. The team reached the knockout stage after a 1–1–1 record in the group stage. It started with a 3–2 upset win over Portugal.

In the 1989 World Cup, after finishing top of the CONCACAF qualification tournament, our team was drawn into Group E along with the Czech Republic, Italy, and Ghana. Atletico opened its tournament with a 3–0 loss to the Czech Republic. The team then tied 1–1 against Italy, who went on to win the World Cup. We tried to achieve even more during the next decade.

Our History

1988-1994

Atletico gets officially recognized as the #1 soccer team in the USA