Soccer Is About to Explode in Atlanta — And Neil McNab Is Ready
In this episode of the What’s Up Dunwoody podcast, host Matt Weber talks with Georgia Soccer President Neil McNab about how Atlanta is preparing for the 2026 World Cup. Learn how Rush Union and Georgia Soccer are working to grow the game.
Why Now Is Soccer's Time in Atlanta
Alright, let’s just call it what it is: soccer is about to blow up in Atlanta. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup heading our way and big changes coming to infrastructure, neighborhoods, and public spaces, this city is getting its house in order. And that includes our own little slice of the soccer world right here in Dunwoody.
Neil McNab is in the perfect spot to ride this wave. He’s the president of Georgia Soccer, executive director of Rush Union, and an all-around soccer visionary who’s helped shape what youth and adult soccer looks like in our community.
If you’ve spent any time at Brook Run Park recently, you know the fields are packed. Rush Union has become the heartbeat of youth soccer here, and Neil’s leadership is a big reason why.
A Volunteer Leader With a Pro's Perspective
Neil’s role at Georgia Soccer is completely volunteer. He won an election to take it on, and while he jokes that “there's no good time” to add that kind of responsibility, he knows there’s also no better time.
His background gives him serious credibility. Neil grew up playing in the Manchester City youth system, then turned pro with Portsmouth F.C. before moving to the U.S. to play for teams like the Utah Blitzz and Long Island Rough Riders. He’s seen the game from every angle: player, coach, executive, and soccer dad.
At Rush Union, he’s done everything from coaching to setting up fields to leading the vision for how the club serves the community. That hands-on leadership style is exactly why he’s respected across the Georgia soccer landscape.
Dunwoody's Home Field Advantage
Living in Dunwoody means a lot of things: great schools, top restaurants, a strong sense of community. But for families like mine, it also means showing up to Brook Run four nights a week with turf cleats in hand.
My boys have both played with Rush Union. I’ve played in the adult leagues since their inception. And yes, our What's Up Dunwoody Over-40 team is kind of a big deal. We’ve won the league 11 times now. Neil jokes that at some point they’re going to have to name that trophy after us.
Rush Union has become a staple of life in Dunwoody. It’s not just a sports program; it’s a gathering spot. Parents become friends. Kids build confidence. Coaches turn into mentors. It’s the kind of community-building you don’t always realize is happening until you look back and see how far you’ve come. And I'm so proud to have helped be a part of it.
I’ve played soccer my entire life, and when we moved to Dunwoody, there really wasn’t a strong soccer presence. If you wanted your child to play competitively, you had to find that outside Dunwoody. If you wanted to play in an adult league, you had to leave Dunwoody to find that too.
That changed in 2018 when the city announced multi-use fields would be coming to Brook Run. Even better, the soccer club we already played at was going to be part of a public-private partnership to run programming there. Basically, the city owns the fields, and Rush Union keeps them buzzing with activity. For our family, it was a game changer. We live in Dunwoody North, a little over a mile away from these spectacular fields.
From Brook Run to the World Cup
What’s happening locally ties directly into what’s happening nationally. Atlanta isn’t just hosting World Cup matches in 2026—it’s becoming a model for how soccer cities should operate.
Neil pointed out that the growth they are expecting is similar to the 1994 World Cup or the rise of the 1999ers in women's soccer. These aren’t just moments; they’re movements.
As Atlanta upgrades MARTA, builds out Centennial Yards, and expands the BeltLine, it's also expanding its soccer culture. And that means more opportunity for youth players, coaches, referees, and families who just want to be part of something big.
The upcoming launch of an NWSL team in Atlanta (2028) adds even more momentum. That means girls growing up in Dunwoody will have pro players to look up to right in their backyard.
The Georgia Soccer Vision
Neil’s vision at Georgia Soccer centers on three big things: access, education, and collaboration. He wants every kid—no matter where they live or how much money their family has—to have a chance to play.
He’s big on coaching education, referee training, and building bridges between clubs. He knows that a rising tide lifts all teams. And with US Soccer moving its HQ to Atlanta, we’re not just catching a wave—we’re steering the ship.
His motto? “Play it forward.” Serve the game. Inspire the next generation. Develop people, not just players.
Let’s Talk Legacy
It’s not lost on me that the soccer fields at Brook Run didn’t even exist a decade ago. Now they’re full almost every night. That’s the result of showing up—coaches, volunteers, city staff, and yes, leaders like Neil who had a bigger vision.
Soccer is more than a game in Dunwoody. It’s part of our identity now. And with people like Neil McNab leading the charge, it’s going to keep getting better.
Call to Action
Want to learn more about Rush Union Soccer or how to get your kids involved? Visit rushunionsoccer.org or email Neil directly at nmcnab@rushunionsoccer.org.
You can also learn more about Georgia Soccer at georgiasoccer.org.
Show Notes
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Neil McNab is the President of Georgia Soccer and Executive Director of Rush Union Soccer.
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Atlanta is preparing to host World Cup matches in 2026.
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Rush Union operates out of Brook Run Park in Dunwoody.
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Neil has a professional soccer background and decades of coaching experience.
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Georgia Soccer is focused on expanding access, coaching education, and collaboration across the state.
About What’s Up Dunwoody
What’s Up Dunwoody is hosted by REALTOR® Matt Weber, spotlighting local businesses, events, and neighbors across Dunwoody, Georgia. Follow along at whatsupdunwoody.com for new episodes and community updates.
