MLS Preview: Atlanta United FC

Hooligan Soccer

·3. Februar 2025

MLS Preview: Atlanta United FC

Club History

Atlanta was the third city in the U.S. south-east to sign on during the MLS’ second stage expansion plan which started in 2015. They played their first game in 2017, in the 56,000 seat Bobby Dodd Stadium, home of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. It was a bold statement for an expansion franchise, but the Five Stripes proved all the haters wrong. They filled every seat and showed that a community in the south can embrace the other football with open arms as well!

Atlanta also hit the pitch en fuego. They qualified for the playoffs in their inaugural season, and in 2018 rolled over the two New Yawk teams to face the Portland Timbers in the MLS Cup final, which they won. 2019 saw them hoist the U.S. Open Cup and the Campeones Cup in triumph. With three trophies in three years, Atlanta looked unstoppable.

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Alas, COVID put a ceiling on their meteoric rise. They failed to qualify in 2020 and 2022, but otherwise have made the postseason six out of their eight years, a very fine percentage.

Ownership

Arthur Blank, founder of the Home Depot, is the majority owner through his holding company AMB Group LLC. He also owns the Atlanta Falcons (with whom the Mercedes Benz stadium is shared) and Atlanta Drive in the TGL (indoor golf).

Notable Players

Josef Martínez: Atlanta’s all-time leading scorer, with 111 goals over 158 appearances in all competitions from 2017-2022. Now plays for the San Jose Earthquakes.
Miguel Almirón: Key player during 2018 season and MLS Cup win. Transferred to Newcastle for a then record $26M fee for a MLS player. Rumors say he may return for the 2025 season…. RUMOR TRUE
Gonzalo “Pity” Martínez: South American Footballer of the Year in 2018. Part of the 2019 squad that won the US Open Cup and Campeones Cup.
Michael Parkhurst: First team captain and defensive stalwart. Appeared in 100 games.

Other Facts

(Source)

Have retired two numbers 17 (the year the club started playing in the MLS, reserved for fan jerseys) 44 (to honor Hank Aaron, a Hall-of-Fame baseball player who was with the Atlanta Braves team for six years)
Have set numerous MLS attendance records Moved to Mercedes Benz stadium in late 2017, and had 67,221 fans watch their playoff game against the Columbus Crew. In 2018 they had a higher average attendance than the Atlanta Falcons football team.
Have a club traditional called the Golden Spike (a nod to Atlanta’s history as a railroad terminus) Before every season, players and supporters sign a large golden railroad spike, which is paraded into the stadium and hammered onto a platform while they chant. The Man-of-the-Match winner also hammers in a spike as part of their celebration.
Atlanta fans are collectively known as ’17s’, though there are many local supporters groups such as Terminus Legion, Footie Mob and All Stripes.
The black and red stripes on their crest refer to the five pillars of the club: unity, determination, community, excellence, and innovation.

2024 Season Review

Record was 14W – 8D – 12L with 50 points.
Moved into 9th placed on the final game of the season with a 2-1 victory over Orlando City
Qualified for the MLS Cup via a playoff victory over CF Montréal in penalty kicks.
Defeated 2024 top seed Inter Miami by winning two of three legs in the first round.
Orlando City got their revenge in the second round, toppling Atlanta 1-0. United didn’t have a single shot on target.

Who to Watch in 2025

Brad Guzan (United States) – Goalkeeper. Veteran USMNT player and team captain entering his 21st professional season. Has 234 appearances.
Saba Lobjanidze (Georgia) – Attacking Midfielder. Recorded 20 goal contributions in his first 30 games. Also scored against Inter Miami in the MLS Cup playoffs.
Mateusz Klich (Poland) – Defensive Midfielder. 34-year old veteran of eight clubs arrives from D.C. United to bolster the center spine.
Miguel Almíron (Paraguay) – Winger. The electric smile is still there; it remains to be seen if he has the same explosiveness and flair on the field.