Premier League Summer Series comes to Georgia

Jul. 28—ATLANTA — With Lionel Messi making is mark on the States in Miami and the US women's national team in the midst of defending their World Cup title, there has never been a better time to grow the game of soccer in the USA. The English Premier League has jumped on that opportunity with their first Summer Series. This series of pre-season games is putting six Premier League teams in the States as they tour the east coast and on Wednesday, they made their second stop in Atlanta.

Soccer fans from around the country gathered in ATL to watch their favorite Premier League clubs battle it out. Brenton, Brighton and Hove Albion, Chelsea, and Newcastle all faced off in Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the crowd was electric. Fans from all over were in attendance like Brighton fan Andrew Windells, who traveled to Atlanta from North Carolina to watch his favorite team play for the first time in real life.

"I think it's a really great opportunity, especially for these clubs in England coming here and expanding to the American community. It's a massive market and I think them doing this is just going to grow the sport even more, especially in America," said Newcastle fan Andrew Seaton, who traveled all the way from Connecticut to see his club play.

"However far I have to go to watch them, I'll come watch them," Seaton said.

All the fans in attendance were in for a treat as Brighton and Brenton players took the pitch for the first game of the evening. Brenton came out in their classic home uniforms featuring red and white striped jerseys, while Brighton dawned their away kilt with black and green striped jerseys with white shorts. The Jumbotron was filled with video of fans displaying their team pride.

As the game began and the fans cheered on their respective squads, Brenton was in control early. They played aggressive defense and attacked every chance they had. Despite controlling the pace early, Brenton couldn't get past Brighton goal keeper Jason Steele, who lived up to his name all day as an impenetrable force in front of the net. Brenton's aggressive defense continued to give them opportunities with a corner in the thirteenth minute, but Steele stood strong and seized his own opportunity.

After a save, Steele sent a long pass to a streaking Simon Adingra down field, catching Brentford goal keeper Mark Flekken off guard. Adingra handled the ball with ease and sent a perfect strike past Flekken for the goal, making it 1-0 Brighton in the nineteenth minute.

Brenton continued attacking, but Adingra's goal had clearly taken some wind out of their sails. Brenton had several chances as Brighton struggled to get the ball out of their defensive zone, but frustrations continued for Brenton when midfielder Frank Onyeka was issued a yellow card after a rough challenge. Brighton had few chances in the later stages of the first half as Brenton continued to push. In a rare miscue from Steele, Brenton looked to have an open net and a perfect shot for the equalizer. But, as Keane Lewis-Potter took the shot, Brighton's Joël Veltman stepped in goal and booted it away. Brighton took a 1-0 lead into half time.

The second half got off to a hot start as both sides were on the attack. Brenton had a chance at a goal in the opening seconds and João Pedro wowed the Brighton fans with his fancy ball work, weaving in an out of defenders.

In the 55th minute, Brenton looked for an equalizer but was unable to connect on the centering pass. Just three minutes later, Adingra would strike again after a pass into the box from Billy Gilmore found the Brighton winger sent the ball in on a tough angled shot, making it 2-0 Brighton.

Brenton would soon after sub out Flekken to put Thomas Strakosha in the net, who did well and didn't allow anymore goals, despite dangerous opportunities from Brighton's Pervis Estupiñán and Kaoru Mitoma. However, Brenton's offense was not as strong as their defense. They couldn't get anything past Steele, though the theme for Brenton in the second half was a lack of accuracy. They had several good opportunities, but all of their shots were either wide or straight to Steele.

Brighton stayed on the attack until stoppage time ended and the game was called. Brighton fans celebrated the 2-0 win as Adingra was named player of the match.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium was packed out for the main event. Two of the most popular clubs in the Premier League, Chelsea and Newcastle, were set to go at it and their fans made their support known. From their respective sections, Newcastle fans waived massive flags high and Chelsea fans lifted a massive blue banner with the team seal on it. Seas of blue and black stretched across the normally red tainted stands as the game kicked off. One thing that really got fans going was the return of Miguel Almirón, AKA "Miggy". The 29-year-old Newcastle midfielder played in the MLS for Atlanta United from 2017-2018 and fans were eager to welcome him back. Even the Chelsea fans showed their support for the returning hero of ATL.

Newcastle fans were deafening as they had a lot to cheer for in the first ten minutes. They seemed better than Chelsea in every aspect, spending a lot of time in the offensive end, while the Blues struggled to clear. Newcastle youngster Anthony Gordon wowed the fans with his impressive ball skills, leaving defenders in the dust wondering what happened.

However, the tide turned quickly as Chelsea found themselves at midfield and made a push. A through pass by Ian Maatsen was on point to a streaking Nicolas Jackson, who fired it past Newcastle goalie Martin Dubravka to put Chelsea ahead just twelve minutes into the contest. The Chelsea fans were beside themselves and the Newcastle supporters sat in stunned silence.

The pace of play remained fast and the clubs battled it out. Dubravka redeemed himself slightly after saving a shot on goal by Chelsea that seemed destined for the back of the net. Chelsea goal keeper Kepa was brilliant as well, with a big save off a Newcastle corner.

The game never slowed down as both clubs tried to push the attack. Newcastle had several chances, but couldn't capitalize and Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk was breaking ankles on the way to a centering pass that missed its mark.

As stoppage time was announced the fans rose to their feet, willing their teams to make a final push in the first half. Newcastle fans got their wish as a through pass found former Atlanta United player Miggy who sent it in for the equalizer in the final seconds. The crowd went ballistic as they celebrated the success of their hometown hero.

Newcastle started off the first half looking methodical and dangerous in their approach. Chelsea on the other hand seemed passive and frustrated at the start of the half. Both teams had a few chances throughout, but both goal keepers were on point, making diving saves and keeping their clubs in the game.

In the 78th minute, Miggy was subbed out of the game and received a standing ovation from the over 70,000 fans in attendance. He would later be named player of the game.

Chelsea seemed to be gaining some offensive momentum in the final minutes, but was unable to capitalize. As five minutes of stoppage time was announced the fans spurred their clubs on with the most loyal on their feet and waving flags.

Chelsea fans felt the winning goal in their hearts as Ben Chilwell sent a pair of shots screaming toward the net. But, goal keeper Nick Pope, Newcastle's number one who was subbed in earlier in the second half, made a diving save to keep Newcastle alive. Chelsea fans fell in agony as they watched victory slip away.

As the whistle blew, fans rose to their feet, celebrating an intense 1-1 contest.

All-in-all, the event was an incredible success. The sellout crowd roared inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the players felt every bit of support. The Chelsea and Newcastle players raced to their fan sections, thanking the fans for their intensity.

"I've really enjoyed it," Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said about the Summer Series. "I think the people have been really really friendly. I've met a lot of American Newcastle fans who have been really passionate about the club and talking like they're fully ingrained in the identity of the club and the area. They know a lot about the players. So, I think it's been a rewarding experience for us. and the atmosphere today, it was like a Cup Final really. It was a great place to play football."

The Summer Series made a quick stop in New Jersey on Friday and the next stop is the Washington Commanders FedEx Field that will play host to Ashton Villa vs Brenton and Chelsea vs Fulham on Sunday July 30.