Atlanta United FC

MLS announced the Atlanta expansion franchise on April 16, 2014, with Arthur M. Blank as owner. Darren Eales was hired as the club’s first president that September to lead preparations for its launch.⁠[1]

The club unveiled the Atlanta United FC name, crest and colors on July 7, 2015.⁠[1]

Alexander Tambakis became the club’s first signing in 2016. Gerardo “Tata” Martino became its first head coach in September.⁠[1]

Atlanta debuted in MLS at Bobby Dodd Stadium on March 5, 2017, losing 2–1 to New York Red BullsRed Bull New YorkRed Bull New York (RBNY) are a Major League Soccer club based at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. The club has competed in MLS since 1996, previously as the MetroStars, and is owned by Red Bull.Open the full entry. Its first win followed a week later, 6–1 over Minnesota UnitedMinnesota United FCMinnesota United FC is a Major League Soccer club based at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota.Open the full entry.⁠[2]

Atlanta opened its Marietta training headquarters in April 2017. Its first match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 10 ended in a 3–0 win over FC DallasFC DallasFC Dallas is a professional soccer club in Texas competing in MLS, with its regular home at Toyota Stadium in Frisco.Open the full entry.⁠[2][3]

On December 8, 2018, Atlanta beat Portland 2–0 to win MLS Cup in its second season.⁠[2]

On August 14, 2019, Atlanta beat Mexico’s Club América 3–2 to become the first MLS club to win the Campeones Cup. On August 27, it defeated Minnesota United 2–1 to win the U.S. Open Cup.⁠[4]

After the 2020 COVID-19 suspension, MLS resumed part of its schedule in a closed tournament environment. Atlanta lost all three group matches at the MLS is Back Tournament and parted with Frank de Boer. Gabriel Heinze was hired that December and dismissed in July 2021; Gonzalo Pineda was appointed in August.⁠[4][5]

Thiago Almada joined Atlanta in 2022 and won the World Cup with Argentina that year, becoming the first player to win it while active in MLS. The reserve side, Atlanta United 2, began MLS NEXT Pro play in 2023, when Almada also received the MLS Young Player of the Year award.⁠[5][6]

Atlanta entered the 2024 playoffs as the Eastern Conference’s ninth seed. It won the deciding first-round match 3–2 against top-seeded Inter Miami to advance, then lost 1–0 to Orlando CityOrlando CityOrlando City SC is a Major League Soccer club based in Orlando, Florida. Awarded an expansion franchise in 2013, it began MLS play in 2015. Its home stadium is Inter.co Stadium.Open the full entry in the conference semifinal.⁠[6]

Miguel Almirón returned to Atlanta in January 2025. On November 6, the club reappointed Gerardo “Tata” Martino as head coach through the 2027 MLS season, reporting to chief soccer officer and sporting director Chris Henderson.⁠[7][8]

Atlanta United FC: Official website: https://www.atlutd.com/ (opens in a new window)⁠[1]

Atlanta United FC: X: https://x.com/ATLUTD (opens in a new window)⁠[1]

Atlanta United FC: YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is Google’s video-sharing and creator platform, founded in 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim and acquired by Google in 2006. Built around video uploading, viewing, and creator earnings, the platform has developed Shorts, YouTube Music, Premium, YouTube TV, and products for children, and is headquartered in San Bruno, California, United States.Open the full entry: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8fg8L4X7qpQdHJgxpM4qxw (opens in a new window)⁠[1]

Atlanta United FC: LinkedInLinkedInLinkedIn is a social networking platform for professionals. It was founded in 2002 by Reid Hoffman and others, launched in 2003, and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2011; after Microsoft acquired it for approximately $26.2 billion in 2016, it became a wholly owned Microsoft subsidiary. Its revenue comes from membership subscriptions, advertising, and recruitment solutions.Open the full entry: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atlantaunitedfc (opens in a new window)⁠[9]