The emergence of Venezuelan forward Josef Martinez electrified
the club and its fans, leading the team to the fourthbest
points total in the Eastern Conference. In the 2017 MLS
Cup Playoffs, Atlanta United fell to the Columbus Crew in the
knockout round, losing on penalty kicks.
In 2018, the team roared back to the postseason and
clinched its first MLS Cup. The team defeated the
Portland Timbers 2-0 before a record crowd of
73,019 at Mercedes-Benz stadium to notch the
championship and hoist the league trophy.
In July 2020, Atlanta United participated
in the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando,
but the club was ousted from the tournament
after losses to New York Red Bulls, FC Cincinnati
and Columbus Crew. Following the
tournament, the club and manager Frank de Boer
mutually agreed to part ways.
De Boer never lived up to his predecessor, Tata Martino,
and the club failed to return to the top of Major League
Soccer under his leadership.
Atlanta United holds public training sessions and tournaments
at its Cobb County headquarters, and it occasionally
hosts clubs from across the nation and abroad.
ATL UTD 2, a United Soccer League club and the affiliate of
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86 FACTBOOK 2021
Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United, is owned and operated
by AMB Sports & Entertainment. The team joined the USL as
an expansion club in 2018, and it plays its home matches at
Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, a venue that also hosts
Kennesaw State University athletic teams.
“ATL UTD 2 is the fundamental link in our club’s
vertical integration, connecting our academy teams
to our first team,” Atlanta United Vice President
and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said.
“This team gives us a chance to challenge academy
players at the professional level while also
giving our first team players an opportunity to
stay match fit and when returning from injury.
This team will be a blend of local talent and
seasoned pros.”
Marietta purchased the land on which the club’s
headquarters sits by using part of the funding from a
$68 million bond approved by voters in 2013. The majority
of the bond was earmarked to redevelop the Franklin Gateway corridor.
The city receives increasing annual rents from Atlanta United
based on inflation.
Other projects on Franklin Gateway that were initiated by the
bond include the Franklin Gateway Sports Complex, a park that
is owned and operated by the city and features three soccer fields.
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