Best Local Sports Team

Despite the giant silver Falcon emblazoning its doors, the golden spike symbolizes the true rulers of Mercedes-Benz stadium. Record-breaking strikers and homegrown phenoms immediately stirred up an intense fanbase that repeatedly breaks attendance records to rep the Five Stripes and King Peach. Josef Martinez, Miguel Almiron, and Co. not only ignite a fire and passion for soccer, they bring back a feeling of hope Atlanta sports has been missing for some time. less...

Who says Atlanta teams don't win championships? In April, thanks to the turnaround job led by new coach Brian Haynes, the Atlanta Silverbacks edged out the Carolina Railhawks to win the North American Soccer League's spring championship. With a small-but-rabid fan base and solid squad - including forwards Pedro Mendes and Danny Barrera and goalkeeper Eric Ati - that in the past has drawn the attention of Major League Soccer scouts, it's clear the scrappy team that plays in the shadow of the Spaghetti Junction has potential to win more silverware. www.atlantasilverbacks.com/fc/. less...

It's an expansion team in a league many people don't even know exists, but the Atlanta Beat pro soccer club fielded three members of the U.S. squad that made it to the finals of the Women's World Cup in July and helped bring home the gold at the 2008 Olympics. Defender Heather Mitts, with two gold medals, is best known for her appearances in Maxim, Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue and other lad mags, and for being named "Hottest Female Athlete" by ESPN.com. It's never too late to become a fan, guys. womensprosoccer.com/atlanta. less...

Atlanta has lost its second NHL franchise, but we still have reason to hold our heads high: all the other sporting events. The Falcons were the No. 1 seed in this past year's playoffs and look to contend for another NFC South Division title. The Braves currently have the second-best record in the National League. And the Hawks even have a new owner, singular. We've also got UGA, Georgia Tech and even Georgia State, plus SEC Championships, All-Star games, NCAA tournaments and the occasional Super Bowl. less...