A few years ago, the sheer thought of an MLS team recording larger crowds than the La Liga, Bundesliga or Premier League would be considered unfathomable... Recently, however, Atlanta United, has demonstrated the MLS can draw interest on par with the world’s top leagues.
Founded in 2014 as an MLS expansion team, Atlanta United was formed to tap into the city’s passionate sports culture and help boost the popularity of soccer in the states.
Here are three key factors that have differentiated the club from other MLS franchises and directly contributed to its success:
1. An Excellent Management Team
At the top is owner Arthur Blank, who is an excellent business man with experience in managing sport teams, including the Atlanta Falcons. Blank is joined by Atlanta United President Darren Eales. Not only does Eales have a strong playing background, he has experience as Tottenham Hotspur’s Director of Football Administration. Last but not least, Head Coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino is a football coaching legend—he led the Argentina National Team, Paraguay National Team, and La Liga’s FC Barcelona during his prestigious 20-year coaching career. He came to Atlanta in 2016, signing on as the team’s first head coach.
2. Different Recruiting and Team-building Approach
While some teams in the MLS try to recruit the biggest (and oldest) European stars, Atlanta United philosophy was to build a young, dynamic, fast, and attacking team.
3. Passionate fans
In its debut season last year, Atlanta United averaged 48,200 people per match—the highest in MLS history.
This October, the team broke its own record when nearly 72,000 fans attended a match with Toronto FC—also the most in MLS history.
The single-match record fell again in March (72,035 tickets sold) for a United contest at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with D.C. United.
It’s going to be exciting to see where this unorthodox approach takes Atlanta United—and for that matter, soccer in the country. Many consider them to be the favourite to lift the MLS Cup in 2018-19 and it would not be surprising if other MLS clubs begin to try to replicate their model.