Mercedes-Benz Stadium keeps setting the pace, including in a big way this weekend. On Saturday night, Atlanta United became the fastest team in Major League Soccer to reach five million spectators attend an MLS regular season match at home.
The 5-Stripes set the record with 42,684 supporters in attendance October 7 for the club's home match against Eastern Conference opponent Columbus Crew. Atlanta United set the record in 103 MLS regular season games.
The milestone adds to impressive list of attendance numbers for the club. Eight of the 10 most attended MLS matches have been Atlanta United matches. And the record-breaking crowds go beyond MLS to the whole continent. Earlier this year, the official Twitter account of FOX Soccer posted a list of North and South American soccer stadiums with the highest average attendance for the 2022 season. Atlanta United ranked no. 2 overall and topped the list for clubs in North America
The match Saturday saw the return of several players who were part of perhaps the most memorable event to take place at the club's home venue. In 2018, the team won the MLS Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a 2-0 victory over Portland Timbers. Darlington Nagbe and Julian Gressel were on that 2018 roster for Atlanta United. Both are now members of the Crew and started Saturday's match.
Michael Parkhurst, defender and captain of that 2018 championship team for Atlanta United, was also in attendance Saturday serving as the Golden Spike Hitter.
Atlanta has secured a berth in the 2023 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. The team has secured a spot in Round One, which means Atlanta United will host a playoff match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The 5-Stripes have one regular season match remaining at FC Cincinnati on Decision Day.
