ATLANTA – In only its second year, Atlanta’s Major League Soccer team is enjoying victory on the field and in the stands in a way that is exceeding expectations.
Why?
Atlanta United set a league record for average attendance in its first year of existence, and is currently outpacing other Major League Soccer teams.
11Alive’s Why Guy talked to people about the popularity of Atlanta United in an area of the country obsessed with the American version of football.
Greg Griffith of Georgia Soccer says the city has had a pent up hunger for soccer since the 1996 Olympics. The organization now has over 100,000 members.
He adds that the people behind Atlanta United listened to soccer fans about how to build the team.
“They’re playing the right way,” says John Downey, youth Soccer Coach for the Inner Atlanta FC Blues. “It’s fun to watch. The fans are engaged.”
Chris Winkler, Communications Director for Atlanta United, says the engagement with fans prior to even hiring a coach helped the team build a popular product.
Instead of signing big name players in the European leagues that were nearing the end of their careers, Atlanta United went after young, up and coming athletes.
They then adopted an attack-minded philosophy.
“We’re trying to score 3-4 goals every game, even if that leaves us vulnerable to allow 1-2,” says Winkler.
It’s been a successful, winning approach, and the fans have responded better than anyone expected.
