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BEHIND THE STRIPES

Mark Bloom

By Atlanta United FC

February 17^th, 2017

"Ever since I heard Atlanta was getting an expansion team I wanted to come back and I wanted to play here." -Mark Bloom

Mark Bloom is a Marietta, Ga. native who was raised through the soccer scene in Atlanta. A member of the local youth club NASA, Mark had the opportunity to explore the city and travel across the nation via the beautiful game while making life long friends in the process.

"Soccer helps me connect to my family, the community, people in other countries or that speak other languages. It's helped me to really build relationships with people and I love that about the sport."

Mark's high school soccer career was a family affair. He and his brother both played for Lassiter High school's Varsity team, where their father coached. It was a unique experience for Mark to share the game this closely with his family for the final years of his youth career.

After high school, Mark committed to play collegiate soccer at Berry College, located just 70 miles outside of Atlanta. Not only a great fit for both his academic and athletic aspirations, but Berry's proximity to home made it the perfect choice.

"Somehow everything aligned and I got my dream. I got to come home"

After beginning his professional career with AC St. Louis, Bloom went on to play for four different professional clubs across North America. Since there was no MLS team in Atlanta at the time, Bloom was enjoying the ride and the opportunity to live in different cities while invested in the game he loves.

Once Atlanta was awarded a franchise, Mark wanted to return home and play for his city. He wasn't sure how it would be possible, but fast forward to 2017, and it's all fallen into place.

"Growing up I always wished that Atlanta had a professional team. I think it's really important for young players to be able to go to games and see what the game looks like at the professional level. It gives them something to aspire to. "

Atlanta lacked a local team to admire when Mark was young, and he thinks that the impact Atlanta United will have on youth soccer in the Southeast will play a crucial role in the future of soccer in the United States.

When local youth players developed on the same fields as Mark see him take the pitch sporting the Atlanta United crest, it will prove to them that dreams can become reality.

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