THE ATHLETIC's Sam Stejskal cited sources as saying that FC Cincinnati is "in the process of hiring a new general manager" and has been "interviewing candidates for the position for several months." Jeff Berding has served as both President & GM of FC Cincinnati since the club was founded in '15 and has done an "impressive job leading the business side of the organization." However, the club’s sporting operation has "fallen behind during its first season in MLS." Berding will continue as President and will "remain in charge of the team’s business operations, but he’ll take a less active role in the sporting side of the organization" (THEATHLETIC.com, 5/13).
GROWING THE GAME: In Nashville, Luis Torres notes LaLiga club FC Barcelona will be "opening a youth soccer academy in Nashville in mid-August," in partnership with Sporting Global. The academy will be "for boys and girls in the under-8 to under-18 age range." Nashville will be the eighth city in the U.S. to have a full-time youth soccer academy run by Barcelona and Sporting Global (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 5/14).
PACKED HOUSE: In Atlanta, Doug Roberson noted Atlanta United’s announced attendance of 68,152 for Sunday’s game against Orlando City at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was the "third-most for soccer clubs around the world last weekend" (AJC.com, 5/13).
