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Behind the Stripes

DJ EU

By Atlanta United FC

May 10^th, 2019

DJ EU felt the salty sting of sweat in his eyes under the bright Caribbean sun. The Puerto Rican native was on a beautiful beach in Cuba, but he couldn’t enjoy it –– he longed for something else. He was staring at his phone, waiting for the notification that would change his life forever. Finally, the message appeared.

“I was on my phone constantly, getting online every 30 minutes, checking my phone to see if I got an email,” he says. “Sure enough, I got the email.”

The message was simple –– DJ EU would DJ for Atlanta United. It was a sweet reward after more than a decade of hard work, DJ’ing in the Atlanta area for radio stations and clubs night after night. For an entire year, he had tweeted every day at Atlanta United in Spanish and English:

“Hey Atlanta United, I want to be your DJ.”

Now his opportunity had come, his dreams now a reality. He was going to spin for his favorite team who plays his favorite sport. It couldn’t get any better.

After moving to Atlanta in 2002, he didn’t have a local team to call his own. He continued to follow his international teams and leagues. Then, after a decade in the United States, Atlanta United announced its plans to bring a soccer frenzy to the southern city. EU claimed the 5-Stripes as his team immediately.

“When I saw Atlanta had a team, I was in,” EU said. “I became a founding member.”

His first event he attended was the kit reveal— the unveiling of what the 5-Stripes meant and pillars of the club. He was all in as a 17, but he started to think of ways he could help support the team.

“I saw the potential,” EU said. “They need a DJ.”

EU knew it was a position that would lead him back full circle. After two years at Georgia Perimeter College, EU was set to transfer to Georgia Tech – but dropped out to pursue his dream of being a full-time DJ. After receiving that long-awaited offer to come on as Atlanta United’s resident DJ, EU would have that chance to go to Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium. Not as a student but as an entertainer.

“I want the fans to feel welcomed to their home,” EU expressed. “When the players arrive, this is their home. I want Atlanta to feel some type of ownership. This is Atlanta’s Team. It’s Arthur (Blanks)’ team, but it’s the city’s team.”

When he started planning out matchday playlists, he reached out to players in person and on social media to invite them to his performances. Knowing the players would allow him to pick music and songs they liked, so he could make matchday even more special for them. One player who has been a special friend is Atlanta United’s striker Josef Martinez.

“When we have the chance to hang out, he comes to my house, even with his son,” Martinez said. “He comes to lot of things at my house and even personal events.”

Last December, Martinez was awarded 2018 Landon Donovan MLS MVP Award. The ceremony was a small, private ceremony with media and few family members. Sitting alongside Martinez’s family, now a part of his unit: DJ EU.

“I invited him as a sign of our friendship,” Martinez said. “I’m thankful for everything he does.”

During the ceremony, EU had flashbacks of Josef Martinez’s career with Atlanta United. “I teared during his speech. I was like ‘Please, don’t cry. Please, don’t cry,’” EU said. “That last year, to see him so successful and achieve goals he probably didn’t dream of achieving. It was amazing.”

Two season in, DJ EU still pumps up crowds at every home match. If he’s traveling around the country, he always reps his 5-Stripes and shares the accomplishments of his favorite team. On social media, he looks up hashtags and keyword searches to like, comment, share and engage with fellow 17’s. His heart belongs to Atlanta United, and if one of his followers isn’t, he wants to change that.

“When I’m posting stuff, I want you to think about Atlanta United. If you aren’t an Atlanta United fan, I want you to become an Atlanta United fan,” EU said. “I want everybody in the world that supports me (to know that), ‘Oh, you don’t have an MLS team? Well, Atlanta United is your team now.’”

“That’s what I want. I want to spread it.”

Now three years after receiving that life-changing email on the beaches of Cuba, Atlanta United means more to DJ EU than a cell phone bill filled with international charges or a year of waiting to hear a ‘yes.’

When EU is performing for the 5-Stripes, he cannot help but feel joy when he sees the fans enter the stadium with the right state of mind, dancing and feeling good vibes. He sets the tone for the match. As he walks through the concourse to his seat, he loves hearing languages from all around the world and seeing all ages enjoying ATL UTD. It makes him proud to be a part of the Atlanta United community.

“Atlanta United brought the city together,” EU said. “It brought different people of different cultures and beliefs together for one purpose. I have the best gig in the world. I DJ for Atlanta United.”

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