Ever since Israel and Luis Luna were little kids, they always dribbled the soccer ball. It was something the two brothers loved to do in their spare time, but most importantly, it was something the entire family bonded over.
“You can always start a conversation with soccer,” Luis says. “It always helps bringing you together and closer to each other.”
As they grew older that passion grew, with both playing in Smyrna’s competitive leagues in middle school and high school. As graduation neared, it seemed they were losing an avenue to enjoy the game they loved. But Israel’s friend Lyndsay Price brought a way to stay involved with the game right into his lap.
“She said there is a cool opportunity with Unified. Special Olympics Georgia is teaming up with Atlanta United to make this Unified Team,” Israel says. “I told her ‘of course, I’ll join.’ She said we needed another person too and that’s when I brought in my brother.”
To Israel and Luis, this was news they couldn’t pass up. Both are founding members. Luis put in a deposit for season tickets two years before the team was established, even in college when spare cash can be a little tight.
“We go to all the events from the kit reveal and the block parties they have,” Luis said with a smile. “You just get to be in there. You really don’t get to say you’ve been there since the beginning for other teams.”
So the Luna brothers were in right from the start, signing to the club’s first ever Unified Team in 2017. Luis started as a partner athlete but has since shifted to the coaching staff, while Israel is still on the roster as a partner athlete.
Luis looks over at his brother and says, “it’s just a way to bring us together and closer to each other. It’s the first time we’ve been able to play on a team together.”
Now they can spend more time together with the game they grew up playing in the backyard, tuning out work and college and focusing on having fun with their friends.
“At first, you are a little timid, and you are testing the waters,” Luis says. “But once you get to know the team, they are just into the sport, and they really want to be competitive and really want to win. It’s awesome because once you get to know them there’s nothing different between them and us. We are just the same.”
Every day they step on the pitch with the team, there’s always something new. Whether it’s a player visit to practice or learning a new skill, it’s always a good day at Unified.
“We feel super privileged to be a part of this program,” Israel shares. “Every time a player comes out, it’s super cool to meet them, and they enjoy being out there. Once you start playing, you start enjoying each other’s presence. You mess around. Eric Remedi tried to nutmeg me once. You just start to have fun.”
But even more than the player visits or getting to train where the pros train, the brothers agree it’s the perfect way to wind down from their day.
“You could be having a bad day, and then, you just become less stressed because when you have Unified practice you know it’s going to be fun,” Luis says. “Everyone here is just family.”
Between Unified and the first team, Atlanta United has a brought the Luna family closer together –– whether it’s sitting in the stands at Mercedes-Benz Stadium cheering on the Five Stripes or it’s practicing on the pitch for Unified. They had followed other teams, but this was theirs.
“Growing up before Atlanta United, the teams I supported were Barcelona and Arsenal,” Israel says. “I was a fan. When Atlanta United arrived, it was like my city, my team. You just take possession over it.”
Luis says he celebrates goals as much as anyone, but what’s truly special is far outside the lines. It’s about the community that’s been created with Atlanta United.
“If it wasn’t for Atlanta United or soccer, I wouldn’t meet Antonio or Michael on the Unified Team,” Luis says. “You always go out to the games and you see all types of people, even the fans that go out for Unified Signing Day. The fans make you feel included.”
As for the Unified Team, it allows them to live on their childhood love with people they love around them. The Unified Team gave the Luna Brothers a special definition of the game: family.
© 2026 Atlanta United FC
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