Rush Union Soccer is the youth and adult soccer club based at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody, GA. Executive Director Neil McNab explains how the club grew to more than 2,000 youth and 500 adult players across Dunwoody and Milton, with rec, Advanced Rec, academy and select teams, Friday night futsal and adult leagues.
Rush Union Soccer has done an incredible job using the new fields at Brook Run. The Webers spend a lot of time there, and we love the family atmosphere that the City and the Club have developed.
I play in the over-40 league there on Mondays. My boys practice there four nights a week during the season, and we’re there for games on weekends. I wanted to have Neil back on the show to share his experience with Dunwoody over the last few years, and all of the new stuff going on with Rush Union Soccer.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, or learn more at Rush Union Soccer.
How Rush Union Soccer Came to Brook Run
Neil’s story starts next door in Doraville, where he was involved with the Chiefs soccer club. As demand grew, his team needed more fields and better opportunities for local kids. That led them to Dunwoody, where they partnered with the city to create what is now Rush Union.
In 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic, Brook Run Park became home to Rush Union Soccer. Tough timing, but the community showed up. The fields quickly filled with rec, academy and select teams plus seasonal programs. Neil gave a lot of credit to the city and the Parks and Recreation department for making it work.
Brook Run Fields and Dunwoody Parks and Rec
The partnership with Dunwoody Parks and Rec is a big reason the club works. The city and the club share the fields with local schools and other community groups, so as many people as possible get to use them.
If you have never been out there on a Saturday morning, go. It’s one of the best parts of living in Dunwoody. Here’s my Brook Run and Dunwoody parks guide for everything else at the park.
Rush Union Soccer Programs: Rec, Advanced Rec and Academy
Rush Union Soccer tries to meet players where they are. Their newer Advanced Rec program is a bridge between rec and the more competitive academy teams. It’s for kids who show promise but aren’t ready for the full academy commitment yet.
The approach is working. Neil says the club has more than 2,000 youth players and 500 adult players across its Dunwoody and Milton locations.
Serve, Develop, Inspire
Neil walked me through a nine-month strategic planning process the club did with an outside group called The Collective. They boiled their mission down to three words: Serve, Develop, Inspire.
Serve means opportunities for every player, no matter their skill level or financial situation. Develop means growing as people, not just as soccer players. Inspire means building a place where kids thrive on and off the field.
My favorite story: one of Neil’s former players now coaches his own daughter’s team. That’s the whole cycle right there.
Futsal at Rush Union Soccer
Futsal is soccer played indoors with a smaller, heavier ball. It rewards quick thinking and tight ball control, so it’s a great complement to the outdoor game.
Rush Union’s Friday night futsal has been a hit. Families choose how many sessions they want, which makes it easier to keep kids playing in the off-season without blowing up the calendar.
Adult Leagues and Local Sponsors
The adult leagues are a great way for parents to stay in the game and meet people. I coach in the program and play in the over-40 league, and it has been a big part of my family’s life here.
Local support matters too. Dr. Brett Friedman of Village Orthodontics has been a long-time sponsor, and you’ll see the Village Orthodontics logo on the backs of the jerseys.
My Take
Rush Union Soccer has become a second family for us. Neil said one of the club’s goals is for kids to grow up together and families to grow old together. I see that every week at Brook Run.
With the World Cup coming to Atlanta, soccer here is only getting bigger. If you’re new to Dunwoody, signing your kids up is one of the fastest ways to meet your neighbors.
Thinking About Moving to Dunwoody?
Brook Run and Rush Union are a big reason families pick Dunwoody. Check out my Moving to Dunwoody guide, search Dunwoody homes for sale, or text me or call 404-502-8683.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rush Union Soccer
Where does Rush Union Soccer play in Dunwoody?
Rush Union Soccer plays at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody, GA. The club moved to the Brook Run fields in 2020 through a partnership with the City of Dunwoody and Parks and Recreation.
How many players are in Rush Union Soccer?
Executive Director Neil McNab says the club has more than 2,000 youth players and 500 adult players across its Dunwoody and Milton locations.
What programs does Rush Union Soccer offer?
Rec, Advanced Rec, academy and select teams for kids, plus seasonal programs, Friday night futsal and adult leagues, including an over-40 league.
What is Advanced Rec at Rush Union?
Advanced Rec is a bridge between recreational soccer and the competitive academy teams, for players who show promise but are not ready for the full academy commitment.