Welcome to Five Stripe Final

What the heck is this thing?

In 2015, I launched a simple WordPress blog with the ambition to write about a soccer team that didn't exist. Almost nine years later, it's time for something new.

Building Dirty South Soccer into one of the most prominent destinations for Atlanta United coverage is a point of pride for me. Unfortunately, it became clear that we exist in an industry of managed decline, where multi-billion dollar companies don’t care about producing quality content for audiences. Seeing Vox Media cut 95% of MLS blogs from its SB Nation platform crushed me like it did everyone else. DSS being only one of two blogs to survive the cuts left me with a case of survivor’s remorse. Even though I knew that the Atlanta United market is incredibly strong, having that axe constantly swinging over your head is not a feeling I wish on anyone. DSS is not going away, at least not to my knowledge at the time of writing, but I am. It’s time to get out from underneath that axe and try something new I can be proud of again.

Efforts were made to try and acquire the Dirty South Soccer branding from Vox and take it independent, like our friends Sounder at Heart did, but they were rejected. Instead of trying to fight for it, I realized, it’s just a name. It’s the talent that makes the brand, not the other way around.

For my money, Sam Jones is one of the best writers and journalists in all of American soccer and deserves a platform to showcase that. I’ve had the pleasure to work with Joe Patrick for nearly seven years and he provides an incredibly unique and measured perspective on all things Atlanta United. While, I know my talents are limited, I’d like to think I have great instincts for what fans are feeling and can continue to offer that viewpoint with genuine honesty. With all three of us together, I believe you’re getting the best of all possible worlds through print and through podcasts.

Unfortunately, I’m terrible at speaking into a microphone, so I’ve never tried to start my own podcast. That has put me in a unique position to consume nearly every Atlanta United podcast that exists. First and foremost, I am a fan. A fan of soccer and a fan of Atlanta United. With all due respect to all of the people working hard to produce great podcasts about this team we love, no one does it better than Joe and Sam with Five Stripe Final. Maybe I am biased because I’ve worked with both in the past and admire their skills. But I pride myself in being as brutally honest as possible without bringing bias into the equation. FSF is the standard for Atlanta United podcasts. When this opportunity to collaborate with Joe and Sam arose, it was a no-brainer for me.

Our goal is to create a one-stop shop for any type of media you wish to consume in relation to Atlanta United. Five Stripe Final is here to combine top-quality written content with the best podcast in the space.

It’s no secret that Atlanta supporters are some of the best in the country and will support great grassroots work. Our new project here will be entirely funded by whatever generosity our readers are willing to show.  For $7 a month, you’ll get access to everything—every podcast, column, tactical deep dive and bit of breaking news. And from our subscribers’ contributions, 10% of profits each month will be donated to Soccer in the Streets. So, whether you would just like to support independent coverage or you don’t want to miss any of the quality content we will publish, please consider a paid membership. I’m confident it’ll be the best seven bucks you spend a month.

I don’t know how to end this. So I'll just say “build the statue” and we’ll go from here.

-Rob