Gwinnett Soccer Association

FOUNDED IN 1978, GWINNETT SOCCER ASSOCIATION (GSA) IS ONE OF THE longest-lasting soccer clubs in the Atlanta area. It’s also one of the most diverse, if not THE most diverse, club in the state. Located in the Atlanta suburb of Lilburn, Georgia, the community is one of the most varied and populated in the Southeast, facts that have helped the club develop a unique vibe and outlook on soccer. “We take pride in being a neighborhood-type club that helps young people learn about life through sports, competing and learning through adversity,” says Nuno Piteira, the Boys Director of Coaching for Gwinnett Soccer Association. The club consists of players from all over the world, from various religious, social, and economic backgrounds. Piteira says he believes GSA is a better reflection of the country as a whole and says soccer is what brings everyone together in unity and harmony. “I think more than anything, we’re a changing demographic, the true America,” Piteira says. “Our young people come together through the love of soccer. A lot of our families are lower- to lower-middle class, and we have a lot of immigrants, but they already have a passion for the game. That’s at the heart of what we do.”