Attendance for MLS' opening weekend declined almost 4% this year compared with '16, and the drop "would have been much larger" had Atlanta United not drawn a sellout crowd of 55,000 for its inaugural game at Bobby Dodd Stadium, according to Nick Green of the Torrance DAILY BREEZE. The annual attendance-leading Sounders opened on the road this year, while the Galaxy "didn't sell out StubHub Center on a Saturday afternoon, drawing 23,554 to the 25,667 capacity venue." Green: "Did the relative lack of star power after the offseason exodus play a role in reducing the buzz around the Galaxy?" Other established MLS franchises also "experienced attendance declines." The Rapids and Crew had their opening day attendances fall almost 8% and 12%, respectively. Meanwhile, in addition to Atlanta United, the Timbers, Earthquakes and Orlando City SC, playing the first game in their new stadium, "also had sellouts." There are "newer franchises in MLS that draw a fanatical young, hipster element." Green: "Let's just hope the MLS novelty doesn't wear off, like it apparently has elsewhere" (Torrance DAILY BREEZE, 3/9).
