On Saturday, Columbus Crew SC travel south to Atlanta for the first ever meeting with one of MLS’s newest clubs, Atlanta United. Our Josh Mlot has a full preview of this match, but let’s take an introductory look at Atlanta’s team and their first season in MLS.
Atlanta, owned by billionaire Arthur Blank (who also owns the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons) and colloquially referred to as “the Five Stripes,” was announced as a new MLS franchise on April 16, 2014. At the time of the announcement, Blank and the Falcons were in the process of building the brand new Mercedes Benz Stadium, which will be home to United after it’s (hopeful) July, 2017 completion.