Athens United strikes up new partnership with UGA soccer coaches

Athens United Soccer Association (AUSA) announced a new strategic partnership with UGA head women’s soccer coach Keidane McAlpine and associate head coach Jason Lockhart. In a press release, the partnership was stated as created “to help Athens United become one of the state’s top youth soccer organizations.”

“Soccer is a sport that brings people together, but we feel like it’s still underserved,” McAlpine said in a press release. “Our goal is to bring all of that together and make it stronger—unintended pun, but have Athens be united in it, while also raising the talent level and giving and exposing them to another level.” 

With approximately 25 Cedar Shoals High School boys varsity and junior varsity players playing at Athens United, roughly half of the entire program, Cedar co-head coach Conor Naughton is optimistic about the opportunities ahead.

“This sounds like an exciting opportunity for Athens United and the Athens soccer community, which is brimming with talent,” Naughton said. “Anything that gets more and more of our Cedar players playing at the club level if they aren’t already should have a positive impact on our program. As an alum of UGA myself who now lives and works in Athens-Clarke County, I have a personal connection and a very vested interest in the university’s commitment and service to our community, so I’m very hopeful for the opportunities this partnership could bring.”

AUSA is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that hosts players of all ages from under-6 through under-19 age groups. Athens United has three different team levels that increase in competitiveness: developmental, academy and select teams. The developmental program welcomes beginners and kids seeking a less competitive environment. The academy program is the next step up, offering a more competitive environment. Players are selected through evaluations and grouped by birth year and gender. The select program is the highest competitive program, from ages 12-19, and teams are divided based on performance. 

Athens United 06/07 Gold and Cedar Shoals junior striker Zulma Valdivieso-Gutierrez believes that this partnership will benefit those looking to play soccer beyond high school.

“I think this is a great partnership because it is a way for Athens United athletes to get looked at by more colleges and have a better chance to play in college. It is also a way for the athletes to learn more in many ways,” Valdivieso-Gutierrez said.

UGA hired Keidane McAlpine and Jason Lockhart in December of 2021 after moving on from previous long-term head coach Billy Lesesne. Prior to moving to Athens, McAlpine was the head coach at the University of Southern California, and Lockhart was an assistant coach there. Prior to joining the USC staff in 2014, the pair had been playing and coaching together since they grew up in Huntsville, Alabama and had coached together at Washington State University in 2012. At USC, they led the Trojans to a national championship in 2016. This immediate winning impact showed in Athens, as in the 2022 season, the Bulldogs qualified for the NCAA tournament, and in the 2023 season, they won the SEC tournament championship. This past season, the Bulldogs went 8-7-6, reaching the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Athens United 07 Gold and Cedar Shoals junior captain defender Zeke Hensley-Williams is excited about the connection Athens United will have with UGA.

“With this merge, it allows for the team to get better recognition from scouts and potential players at the club. I’m very excited to wear red like them Dawgs,” Hensley-Williams said.

McAlpine and Lockhart have already begun assisting Athens United in club operations since signing the agreement in March. They expect to expand the administrative and coaching staff in advance of the 2025-26 season. 

“This is a big win for youth soccer in Athens and our greater community,” said Katrina Evans, president of Athens United’s board of directors and principal of E+E Architecture, in a press release. “Not only are Jason and Keidane phenomenal coaches, they embody all that can be possible with youth soccer. Good things are in store for Athens United.”