Atlanta United FC facts for kids
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| Full name | Atlanta United Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | The Five Stripes | ||
| Short name | ATL UTD | ||
| Founded | April 16, 2014 | ||
| Stadium | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | ||
| Stadium capacity |
42,500 (expandable to 71,000, standing room to at least 73,019) | ||
| Investor-operator | Arthur Blank | ||
| President | Garth Lagerwey | ||
| Head coach | Rob Valentino (interim) | ||
| League | Major League Soccer | ||
| 2024 | Eastern Conference: 9th Overall: 19th Playoffs: TBD |
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Atlanta United Football Club is a professional soccer team from Atlanta, USA. They play in Major League Soccer (MLS), which is the top soccer league in the United States and Canada. They are part of the Eastern Conference.
The club started in 2014 and played their first MLS game in 2017. They were the 22nd team to join the league. Atlanta United is the first MLS team to be based in Atlanta. They play their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. They share this stadium with the Atlanta Falcons, an NFL team. Arthur Blank, who also owns the Falcons, runs the club. Atlanta United also has a younger team called Atlanta United 2. This team plays in MLS Next Pro.
Gerardo Martino was the first coach for Atlanta United. He led them to the playoffs in their very first year. In their second year, they won their first big trophy, the MLS Cup 2018.
Atlanta United holds several MLS records for how many fans come to their games. They have the highest number of fans for a single game and the highest average attendance. In 2024, the club was valued at about $900 million. This made them the second most valuable team in the league.
Contents
History
How the Team Started
Before Atlanta United, Atlanta was the biggest city area without an MLS team. Arthur Blank, who owns the Atlanta Falcons, tried to get a team in 2008. But he couldn't find a good stadium or partners at that time.
MLS officials kept talking with Blank about Atlanta. They thought it was a good place for a new team. In 2011, the city's NHL hockey team, the Atlanta Thrashers, moved away. This made people want a new MLS team even more.
In 2012, MLS commissioner Don Garber said Atlanta was one of the top cities for expansion. Blank also said that a new stadium for the Falcons could help bring an MLS team. It could even host World Cup games.
In 2013, the city and the Falcons agreed on plans for a new stadium. This stadium would open in 2017 and could be set up for soccer games. MLS continued to see Atlanta as a top choice.
On April 16, 2014, Arthur Blank announced that MLS had given his group a new team. The team would start playing in 2017. Atlanta was the second team to join from the Southeast United States. The region had not had an MLS team since 2001.
2017: First Season
Atlanta United played their first MLS game on March 5, 2017. It was at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Over 55,000 fans were there! Yamil Asad scored the team's first goal, but they lost 2-1 to New York Red Bulls. A week later, they won their first game, beating Minnesota United FC 6-1. On March 18, 2017, they won their first home game 4-0 against Chicago Fire.
After moving to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the team kept breaking attendance records. They had over 48,000 fans per game on average. Atlanta made it to the playoffs in their first season. This was a big achievement for a new team. In their first playoff game, they played Columbus Crew. Over 67,000 fans came to watch. The game ended in a tie, and Columbus won in a penalty shootout.
2018: Champions!
In their second year, Atlanta United finished second in their conference. They made it to the playoffs again. They beat New York City FC and New York Red Bulls to reach the final. On December 8, they won MLS Cup 2018 by beating Portland Timbers. This was Atlanta's first major sports championship since the Atlanta Braves won the 1995 World Series.
Winning the MLS Cup also meant Atlanta qualified for the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League. This was their first time playing in a big international tournament. Coach Martino left the team after this win. Josef Martínez was named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP). Martino was named Coach of the Year.
2019: More Trophies
After Martino left, Frank de Boer became the new coach. In 2019, Atlanta United won the Campeones Cup. They beat a Mexican team called Club América 3-2. This was a big win for a U.S. club. De Boer also led the team to win the U.S. Open Cup. They made it far in the MLS Playoffs but lost to Toronto FC in the conference finals.
2020-2021: Challenges and Changes
The 2020 season started well, but then the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays. Atlanta United played in the MLS is Back Tournament but lost all their games. Coach Frank de Boer left the club. Stephen Glass took over as interim coach.
In 2021, Gabriel Heinze became the new head coach. The team brought in new players. They played in the CONCACAF Champions League, reaching the quarterfinals. However, the team had a tough time in the MLS season. They went eight games without a win. Heinze was fired in July 2021. Rob Valentino became the interim coach.
Later, Gonzalo Pineda was named the new head coach. Atlanta United made it to the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs but lost in the first round.
2022-Present
In 2022, Atlanta United did not make the playoffs. They also played in the 2022 U.S. Open Cup but were knocked out early. After six seasons, star player Josef Martínez left the club.
In 2023, the team finished 6th in their conference. They were knocked out in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. They also played in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup and the 2023 Leagues Cup for the first time. Their top scorer was Giorgos Giakoumakis with 19 goals.
On June 3, 2024, coach Gonzalo Pineda was fired after the team lost five home games in a row. Rob Valentino became the interim head coach again. Atlanta United sold some key players like Thiago Almada and Giorgos Giakoumakis. This gave them a lot of money to spend on new players.
In October 2024, Atlanta United surprisingly made it to the Wild-Card Round of the playoffs. They beat Orlando and then Montreal in a penalty shootout. They faced Inter Miami, who had a record-breaking season. Atlanta lost the first game but won the second at home. In a decisive third game, Atlanta won 3-2 in Miami to advance to the Conference Semi-finals.
Colors and Badge
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Arthur Blank wanted fans to help choose the team's name, logo, and colors. He said the colors would work with the red and black that the Falcons use.
On July 7, 2015, the team officially announced its name: Atlanta United FC. The name was chosen based on what fans liked best.
Symbols
The team's logo and colors were shown on July 7, 2015. The logo is a circle, like Atlanta's city seal and its Olympic history. It has a big "A" in the middle. Behind the "A" are five black and red stripes. These stripes stand for the team's five main ideas: unity, determination, community, excellence, and innovation.
The team's official colors are black (for strength), red (called "Victory Red," for pride and passion), and gold (for aiming to be the best). Fans often call the team "The Five Stripes" because of the five stripes on their first home jerseys.
Kits
Atlanta United has different jerseys for home and away games.
Home
          2017–2018
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     2019–2020
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    2021–22
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     2023–
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Away
     2017
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  2017 Away Alt
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     2018–2019
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    2020–2021
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     2022–
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Third
    2021
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     2023
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Sponsorship
American Family Insurance is the main sponsor on the team's jerseys. Truist Financial sponsors the youth academy. Piedmont Hospital is a sleeve sponsor for the first team and the main sponsor for the reserve team. AT&T also became a sleeve sponsor in 2021.
Development System
Reserve Team
Atlanta United has a reserve team called Atlanta United 2. This team helps younger players get ready for the main team. They started playing in 2018 in the USL Championship. In 2023, they moved to MLS NEXT Pro.
Youth Academy
Atlanta United also has a youth academy. Young players can join for free. The academy has seven teams for different age groups. Players from the academy can sign contracts to play for the main Atlanta United team.
The academy also has programs to find new talent. They work with local youth clubs to help develop young players.
Stadium and Team Facilities
Home Stadiums
Atlanta United plays its home games at two main stadiums:
| Name | Location | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Bobby Dodd Stadium | Atlanta, Georgia | 2017 |
| Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, Georgia | 2017–present |
| Fifth Third Bank Stadium | Kennesaw, Georgia | 2017–present; 4 matches in U.S. Open Cup, 3 matches in CONCACAF Champions League |
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta United shares Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the Atlanta Falcons NFL team. For most soccer games, the upper parts of the stadium are covered. This makes the stadium feel smaller and more exciting for soccer fans. Usually, 42,500 people can watch a game. But for big games, the stadium can open up to hold 71,000 people or more! The stands can move to make the field bigger and give fans a better view.
The stadium was supposed to open earlier in 2017. But there were delays because of the complex retractable roof. Atlanta United played their first game in the stadium on September 10, 2017.
Training Facilities
Atlanta United has a special training facility in Marietta. It's called the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground. It cost $60 million and opened in 2017. The facility has a large building with locker rooms, a dining hall, and sports science areas. It also has six outdoor training fields, including one with seats for 2,500 fans.
Bobby Dodd Stadium
Atlanta United played their first home games in 2017 at Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium. This was because Mercedes-Benz Stadium was still being built.
Club Culture
Supporters
Atlanta United has six official fan groups. These include Terminus Legion, Resurgence, Footie Mob, The Faction, LA 12 de Atlanta, and All Stripes.
Terminus Legion started in 2011. They wanted to show that Atlanta fans would support soccer. Their name comes from Atlanta's history as a railroad hub.
Footie Mob started in 2014. Their name is a nod to the Atlanta hip-hop group Goodie Mob. They are known for their pre-game parties and bringing Atlanta's music culture to the games.
By 2017, Atlanta United had over 36,000 season ticket holders. Fans are often called the "17s." This is because 2017 was the team's first year. Many fans wear jerseys with the number 17 on the back.
Attendance
Atlanta United has broken many attendance records in MLS. On September 12, 2017, they sold over 69,256 tickets for a game. The official attendance was 70,425. This was the first time an MLS team had over 70,000 fans for a regular game.
On October 5, 2017, they announced they sold over 70,456 tickets for another game. This helped them break the record for the highest average attendance in MLS history. Atlanta finished 2017 with an average of 48,200 fans per game. This was more than many big European soccer clubs.
In 2018, they broke their own record again. They had 72,035 fans for their home opener. On December 8, 2018, 73,019 fans watched Atlanta United win the MLS Cup. This was the largest crowd for a non-doubleheader game in league history. In 2019, they set another record with 72,548 fans at a single game.
Traditions
Atlanta United has a special tradition called the Golden Spike. This is a tribute to Atlanta's railroad history. Before each game, players and fans sign a large golden railroad spike. Then, a special guest carries it into the stadium. They hammer it into a platform while the crowd chants "A-T-L!" After every win, the player chosen as the "Man of the Match" also hammers a spike. Many famous people have taken part in this tradition, including musicians, athletes, and actors.
Ownership
The main owner of Atlanta United FC is Arthur Blank. He also co-founded Home Depot. The club is part of AMB Sports & Entertainment, which also owns the Atlanta Falcons NFL team and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Players
Roster
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Out on Loan
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Reserved Numbers
Atlanta United has two numbers that are special and not used by players:
- Number 17: This number is reserved for the fans. It represents 2017, the year the team started playing in MLS. The club wants to show that the fans and the city are very important to the team.
- Number 44: In 2021, the number 44 was also reserved. This was to honor Hank Aaron, a famous baseball player for the Atlanta Braves who wore number 44. Sports teams in Atlanta agreed to retire his number in tribute after he passed away.
Broadcasting
Most Atlanta United games are shown on TV by Bally Sports. Some games are also on WUPA if there are scheduling conflicts. Since 2023, all MLS games are available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+. Some games are also shown on WAGA-TV.
For radio, games are broadcast on WZGC/92.9 The Game. Mike Conti and Jason Longshore are the commentators.
Staff
Technical Staff
| Role | Name | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Interim head coach | Rob Valentino |  United States |
| Goalkeeper coach | Liam Curran |  Australia |
| Head athletic trainer | Sean Cropper | United States |
| Fitness coach | Ricardo Oliveira |  Brazil |
| Director, Sports Performance | Andrew Guard |  England |
| Fitness coach | Jack Kimber | England |
| Director, Sports Performance | Ryan Alexander | United States |
Executive Staff
| Role | Name | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | Arthur Blank | United States |
| President | Garth Lagerwey | United States |
| Chief financial officer | Andrew Skorupski | United States |
| Vice president, technical director | Vacant | |
| Head of international player recruitment & development | Jonathan Spector | United States |
| Vice president, soccer operations & strategy | Dimitrios Efstathiou |  Greece |
| Director of communications | Chris Winkler | United States |
| Vice president of business operations | Sarah Kate Noftsinger | United States |
President History
- Darren Eales : 2014 – 2022
- Garth Lagerway : 2022 – present
Head Coach History
| Coach | Country | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gerardo "Tata" Martino |  |
September 27, 2016 | December 10, 2018 |
| Frank de Boer |  |
December 23, 2018 | July 24, 2020 |
| Stephen Glass (interim) |  |
July 27, 2020 | December 12, 2020 |
| Gabriel Heinze | |
December 18, 2020 | July 18, 2021 |
| Rob Valentino (interim) | |
July 18, 2021 | August 12, 2021 |
| Gonzalo Pineda |  |
August 12, 2021 | June 3, 2024 |
| Rob Valentino (interim) | |
June 3, 2024 | Present |
Honors
Atlanta United has won several important trophies:
- MLS Cup
- Champions (1): 2018
- U.S. Open Cup
- Champions (1): 2019
- MLS Eastern Conference Championship
- Champions (1): 2018
- Campeones Cup
- Champions (1): 2019
Records
Atlanta United has achieved many records since it started. Here are some highlights from recent seasons:
Seasons
| Season | League | Position | Playoffs | USOC | Continental / Other | Average attendance |
Top goalscorer(s) | |||||||||||
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| Pld | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD | Pts | PPG | Conf. | Overall | Name(s) | Goals | ||||||
| 2018 | 34 | 21 | 7 | 6 | 70 | 44 | +26 | 69 | 2.03 | 2nd | 2nd | W | Ro16 | DNQ | 53,002 |  Josef Martínez |
35♦ | |
| 2019 | 34 | 18 | 12 | 4 | 58 | 43 | +15 | 58 | 1.71 | 2nd | 3rd | SF | W | CONCACAF Champions League
Campeones Cup |
QF
W
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52,510 | Josef Martínez |
33 |
| 2020 | 23 | 6 | 13 | 4 | 23 | 30 | -7 | 22 | 0.96 | 12th | 23rd | DNQ | NH | CONCACAF Champions League
MLS is Back Tournament |
QF
GS |
27,193 |  Jon Gallagher
Gonzalo Martínez |
4 |
| 2021 | 34 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 45 | 37 | +8 | 51 | 1.50 | 5th | 9th | R1 | NH | CONCACAF Champions League | QF | 43,964 | Josef Martínez |
12 |
| 2022 | 34 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 48 | 54 | -6 | 40 | 1.18 | 11th | 23rd | DNQ | R4 | DNQ | 47,116 | Josef Martínez |
9 | |
1. Avg. attendance includes statistics from league matches only.
2. Top goalscorer(s) includes all goals scored in League, MLS Cup Playoffs, U.S. Open Cup, MLS is Back Tournament, CONCACAF Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and other competitive continental matches.
Goals
| # | Pos. | Name | Nation | Career | MLS | Playoffs | USOC | INTL | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forward | Josef Martínez |  Venezuela |
2017–2022 | 98 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 111 |
| 2 | Midfielder | Thiago Almada | Argentina |
2022–2024 | 23 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 26 |
| 3 | Forward | Giorgos Giakoumakis |  Greece |
2023–2024 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| 4 | Midfielder | Miguel Almirón |  Paraguay |
2017–2018 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| Forward | Héctor Villalba |  Paraguay |
2017–2019 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 22 | |
| 6 | Midfielder | Julian Gressel |  United States |
2017–2019 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 20 |
| 7 | Midfielder | Esequiel Barco |  Argentina |
2018–2023 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 19 |
| 8 | Midfielder | Marcelino Moreno | Argentina |
2020–2023 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 |
| 9 | Midfielder | Luiz Araújo | Brazil |
2021–2023 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 13 |
| Midfielder | Saba Lobzhanidze |  Georgia |
2023– | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 13 | |
| 10 | Midfielder | Pity Martínez | Argentina |
2019–2020 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 11 |
Bolded players are currently on the Atlanta United FC roster.
See also
In Spanish: Atlanta United Football Club para niños
