Atlanta’s Kalonji Soccer Academy to Compete in Prestigious Patterson Cup Tournament

ATLANTA, GA (May 30, 2024) – Atlanta-based Kalonji Soccer Academy, a soccer program dedicated to serving youth in Atlanta’s underserved communities, is sending its U14 MLS NEXT team to the Patterson Cup, thanks to a sponsorship by Atlanta-based window and door manufacturer, YKK AP America. The tournament will take place in Kansas City on June 5 – 9.

The Patterson Cup is a prestigious tournament presented by Sporting Kansas City, which invites top youth soccer teams from across the country to compete. It will boast an ultra-competitive field featuring 30 MLS academies’ teams across the U-12, U-13 and U-14 age groups.

“Our players have worked incredibly hard throughout the season. To be invited to the Patterson Cup in only our third year in MLS NEXT is one of the highest honors in youth soccer,” said Bruno Kalonji, founder of the Kalonji Soccer Academy. “Our players, many who come from communities like Clarkston, would not be able to compete without the generous contributions of local individuals and organizations. We’re truly grateful that YKK AP stepped up to help send our players to Kansas City.”

Kalonji Soccer Academy was founded by Bruno Kalonji with the goal of instilling confidence through discipline, health and education. Kalonji has long held the belief that soccer can provide children with a healthy and productive outlet – imprinting the next generation of soccer players with the notion that if they believe in themselves and work hard, they can achieve their dreams. Kalonji and his coaching team go above and beyond a typical kids’ soccer program in Atlanta – they fundraise for the program, arrange transportation for practices and games, and even provide a homeschool program to help kids succeed academically.

“I’ve had the unique opportunity to witness Coach Bruno and his team in action. His program is about more than building soccer skills. It’s about belief in the next generation,” said Oliver Stepe, president and CEO of YKK AP America. “One of YKK AP’s guiding principles is the Cycle of Goodness, which states that ‘no one prospers without rendering benefit to others.’ Kalonji Soccer Academy puts this principle in action, and we couldn’t be prouder to help make this opportunity a reality for them.”

For more information about YKK AP or its products, please visit ykkap.com.

ABOUT YKK AP AMERICA

YKK AP America Inc. is a leading manufacturer of award-winning commercial facade systems and residential windows and doors. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, all building products are manufactured in the company’s world-class production facilities located in Dublin, Ga., Macon, Ga., and Lakeshore, Ontario. Together with its subsidiary brand, Erie Architectural Products (Erie AP), the company serves architects, glazing contractors, homebuilders, and resellers across the country. YKK AP America Inc. is a subsidiary of YKK AP Inc., a global architectural products company based in Tokyo, Japan.

For more information, visit ykkap.com.

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