Grassroots to Gameday: Buckhead SC Steps onto the Semi-Pro Stage

Tryouts at Agnes Scott mark a major milestone in the club’s APSL journey

The smokestack at Agnes Scott College stood watch over Gellerstedt Field like a red-brick sentinel, its presence cutting sharply against the cloudless sky. By 1 p.m., the sun had risen high enough that no trees could offer shade. The air was still, humid, and heavy with quiet anticipation. Summer hung thick in every breath.

For Buckhead SC, this tryout marked something bigger than roster decisions. It was a signal of where the club is headed.

After establishing itself as a standout in the ADASL, the club is stepping onto the semi-pro stage. This season marks their debut in the American Premier Soccer League, a league defined by faster play, deeper rosters, and stronger competition. And it all starts here, on a new home field that reflects the club’s rising ambition.

“Yeah moving to Agnes Scott this year is a big improvement for us,” said Justin Nguyen, the club’s director. “It was the first grass field in the perimeter for our league. We’re making a jump to APSL this year in the semi pro rank so we figured that facilities need to match that. We have Bermuda grass on the NCAA field and we’re really just trying to elevate our game on and off the field. It starts with the pitch here.”

A New Home With Purpose

For years, Buckhead SC has been known as one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking programs in Atlanta’s amateur scene. Now, with the launch of a semi-pro team, they’re raising the ceiling without losing sight of their roots.

“Playing on grass helps reduce injuries as well as going back to that kind of youth roots,” said Felipe Correa, one of the managers of Buckhead SC’s APSL side. “Playing on grass is always nice for folks. Obviously it helps out with the heat here as well, and just specifically this field having the quality of fuel, it’s not just being grass. It’s been huge for us and having that whole identity and really feeling like you have a home ground versus kind of shared spaces that other teams are using within the league.”

Research backs the benefits. Data from 2012 to 2016 concluded that NFL games on turf showed a 16% higher rate of lower-body injuries per play, climbing to 20% higher when measuring just non-contact injuries. The study estimated that 319 fewer such injuries would have occurred if those games were played on grass.

Setting the Tone

Tryout drills leaned more toward assessment than exhaustion. Players cycled through footwork routines, mobility sequences, and short-pitch build-up exercises designed less to test stamina and more to reveal touch, timing, and game sense. The energy was focused and precise.

That tone was defined by respect, effort, and humility.

At one point, Safir, a young right winger, was tackled hard by a defender. Instead of conflict, the defender helped him up, offered a quick pointer, and gave him a pat on the back before jogging away.

“It’s really competitive,” Safir said. “A lot of people want to get onto the same team and so you’re playing against a lot of people, but it’s really wholesome because they still help you. Even though they’re competitors, they’re still giving me tips.”

Safir, like many players at tryouts, found his way to Buckhead through word of mouth and a desire to keep playing.

“I really wanted to join a team and continue playing the game I love since it’s something I grew up with,” he said. “And I saw that they had a try out and I was like why not try out and just came on Saturday and today.”

Building a Bridge: ADASL to APSL

Buckhead SC isn’t abandoning its foundation. The club will continue to field a team in the ADASL, offering players a clear pipeline from amateur to semi-pro without having to switch clubs or jump through hoops. The two rosters are united by staff, style, and standards.

“Raw talent alone doesn’t make you the best player on the field,” said Nguyen. “Camaraderie alone doesn’t get you goals. So it’s a mixture of everything. You have to make sure you get along with our current team, be sure you’re lifting each other up. There’s a saying: rising tides lift all boats. It’s the same thing here. Again, we’re trying to build something that’s bigger than just the team itself.”

In a soccer landscape that often feels fragmented, Buckhead SC is building something more connected. A local ladder that starts with Sunday league grit and leads to Saturday night lights.

Beyond the Pitch

Growth for Buckhead SC doesn’t stop with match day. The club is investing in Atlanta’s soccer ecosystem through nonprofit partnerships, volunteer efforts, and community-based events.

“We’re trying to build skill and talent here on the team within the soccer community,” said Correa. “But also trying to give back to the Atlanta community as well. So we’re looking into giving back with events within the city of Atlanta as well as teams to build that culture within the team and friendships. Just make this a holistic good place to be and you know some people are having fun as well.”

Just the Beginning

What unfolded at Gellerstedt Field wasn’t just a roster shakeout. It was the start of a movement. One that aims to elevate Georgia’s soccer scene through development, opportunity, and shared purpose.

As Buckhead SC enters the APSL, it carries with it more than just a new jersey or upgraded venue. It carries momentum. From grassroots to gameday, the foundation has been laid.

Now the real season begins.