Anthony Catalano played soccer for the Charleston Battery team in the Silverbacks Park many years ago. Today, Anthony is back in the Silverbacks Park but not as a soccer player, but as a founder of the Apotheos FC Soccer Team that’s branded with the Apotheos coffee and a motto to be bolder, brighter, better together.
“I started thinking about ways I could invest in the sport that gave me so many great characteristics and attributes, and some of the qualities of who I am today,” Anthony says. “What I do in all of my businesses is from the foundation of the game of soccer – what I learned from it, where it took me, and the people I got to meet.”
After playing professional soccer for several years for a number teams in the U.S. and abroad, Anthony, along with his father, Dr. Charles Catalano, and Dale Hughes founded Apotheos FC. Since then, they’ve also added Michael Hitchcock, known as Hitch in the soccer industry and who's no stranger to soccer bringing much to the table for this professional development team. “He has an incredible amount of tenure in sports management and marketing in soccer,” Anthony says, talking about Michael. “I’m thrilled to have him as a partner, as a friend, and to bring him on to this project with us to help us continue to grow.”
The team was created in 2021, but because of the pandemic, Anthony says players didn't step on the field and kick the first ball until 2022. The team is a professional development team that previously played out of Kennesaw, Ga., and recently moved making Silverbacks Park, which is not too far from Chamblee, the team's home field.
As a professional development team, many players join the team during the summer to keep up their skills and to improve their game. At the end of summer, many will go back their respective teams, such as college teams. In the soccer league pyramid, Anthony explains that at the professional development level, soccer players aren't paid players. “We sit right below the third division, so we are a fourth division team,” he says.
Anthony says he tapped Chris Arrigali on the shoulder to help them build the staff for the organization. “You’ve got to have a team to put on the field every week and every match,” he says. “So we needed the right coach who has the right identity and the right philosophy, and the right characteristics that we are looking for to represent the Apotheos Football Club and the Apotheos brand.” Jonathon Mercado is back as coach for a second season to lead the team. Anthony adds that at this level, coaches are also developing their leadership and coaching skills. “Chris has done a phenomenal job for us to be able to identify and find the right coaches,” he says.
And Anthony says this year they have high expectations for the team and the current season. “We are going into a new league with USL League 2, so we are transitioning from the NPSL,” he says, explaining that it’s a strategic move in order to create some really good close rivalries. “This was a great way for us to get a little more of a centralized competition within the conference that’s very competitive. So, we have high expectations to really compete in this new conference,” Anthony says. In the division, Apotheos FC will play other competitive teams from nearby, such as Birmingham Ala., Nashville, Asheville City, NC., and more.
With the World Cup headed to Atlanta in 2026, it's a great time to be a soccer fan, and having the team nearby is a great opportunity. It's an affordable alternative to some of the higher priced ticket options. Anthony says they’ve had great fans in some of the former Silverbacks supporters. He says it's also a great way for youth players to come and see high level soccer and get to engage with soccer players. Anthony describes it as a family-friendly environment. “It’s a phenomenal experience for a young player to get to watch these guys play at the speed that they’re playing,” Anthony says. “Then after the game get the players autographs, give them high-fives. and get their photograph right there on the field. It’s a different experience, and it’s very economical.” And for Chamblee residents, it’s just a short drive to the Silverbacks Park.
The first game of the season took place in mid-May, but there are plenty more games in the 2025 season. For more information, the schedule, tickets and more visit apotheosfc.com.
"It’s a different experience, and it’s very economical." Anthony Catalano, co-founder Apotheos FC