Atlanta United said that it will "work to improve the experience for the next game" at Bobby Dodd Stadium following the club's MLS regular-season debut on Sunday, according to Doug Roberson of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. Some fans "complained of lines as long as 20 minutes to get into the stadium, and as long as an hour to purchase a beer" in one section. One fan said that there were "fights at the nearest concession line because of people trying to cut into line." The fan added that a "lack of ushers didn’t help." Atlanta United President Darren Eales said, "With the unique layout and footprint of Bobby Dodd stadium, challenges naturally arose for our fans that we are making every effort to address immediately." Roberson notes despite the setbacks, fans "were loud." The atmosphere "was charged" and the stadium "was packed." It was the "fourth-largest crowd for a soccer game in the world during the weekend." The support started hours before kickoff with fans, many "sporting the team’s red-and-black primary jersey, packed elbow to elbow in the tailgating lot" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 3/7). YAHOO SPORTS' Jay Busbee wrote the club's debut was "full of promise," and the team "could well own this city in a few years" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 3/6). In Atlanta, Mark Bradley wrote, "You could not have been in attendance Sunday and left unmoved." It was a "beautiful night for the beautiful game" (MYAJC.com, 3/6).
BECOMING TOO ENTHUSIASTIC? ESPN FC's Sam Borden wrote under the header, "Atlanta United's First MLS Game Full Of Emotion, Joy Despite Ending In Defeat." Borden: "The first roar, when the ball was finally in play, felt like it would never end." However, the fans were "frothy and, unfortunately, offensive in spots" (ESPNFC.com, 3/6). United yesterday said that they are "'taking measures internally' to address an anti-gay chant used by some fans." The AP's Charles Odum noted some fans complained about United fans "chanting a Spanish word" at Red Bull players that is an "offensive term for a male prostitute." The team made "announcements before the game asking fans to avoid abusive behavior" (AP, 3/6). SI.com's Alexander Abnos wrote the "vast majority" of Atlanta United's MLS debut "was great." But that "goodwill could easily have evaporated entirely later on with the perpetuation of an anti-gay chant unfortunately prevalent in the game in places around the world" (SI.com, 3/6). YAHOO SPORTS' Busbee wrote both soccer and Atlanta "have a long and checkered history with racism and intolerance, a history that's far better left in the past" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 3/6).
