Though Juventus came out on top, MLS and the Atlanta fans were winners in their own rightGETTY IMAGES
Serie A club Juventus beat the MLS All Stars in penalty kicks before 72,317 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, marking a league "record for All-Star Game single-game attendance," according to Doug Roberson of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. With rain "engulfing the city outside the stadium, and smoke from pre-game fireworks hovering inside, the game had an eerie feel," but it seemed that "most who attended and played had fun." The crowd throughout the game "gave those new to the team and/or the league a taste of what attending Atlanta United games can be like." The supporters "did the 'ATL' chant in the first half and again in the second," and they "turned on their cell phone flashlights en masse." The fans "proved why the city and the team are now a soccer town and one of the league's jewels with soccer personalities and journalists gushing" about how the city. Atlanta United Owner Arthur Blank and the club's front office have "set a new bar" for the MLS' other franchises and vested partners (AJC.com, 8/1). ESPN.com's Jeff Carlisle notes the "biggest cheer of the night" came when Atlanta United F Josef Martinez scored "in the 26th minute" to tie the game at 1-1 (ESPN.com, 8/2). ESPN's Alejandro Moreno: "A great celebration for Atlanta. They showed up quite well here -- 70,000 people. What an atmosphere this was" ("MLS All-Star Game," ESPN, 8/1).
ATLANTA RISING UP: YAHOO SPORTS' Doug McIntyre wrote the MLS All-Star Game "more than lived up to its significant pre-match hype." It was "obvious from the start that the vast majority of those in attendance weren't there to cheer on the decorated visitors, but rather the hosts." Soccer has taken Atlanta "by storm since Atlanta United burst onto the scene last year." In front of an international television audience, that "passion was on display for all" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/1). SI.com's Brian Straus noted last night was "about a host city" that, as MLS Commissioner Don Garber said, "has 'raised the water level' for the league" (SI.com, 8/1). ESPN's Taylor Twellman said, "I was dead wrong about the sport in this city. We are in SEC football country, yet when you land here the only thing people want to talk about is Atlanta United." He added after the game, "If we have any viewers and this is the first time you're watching an MLS game in this stadium, tune in Saturday ... when Toronto's here. It's the same thing. ... This isn't a one-off." ESPN's Adrian Healey: "The crowd doesn't drop, the atmosphere doesn't recede at all" ("MLS All-Star Game," ESPN, 8/1). In Atlanta, Mark Bradley writes Atlanta "stands as the jewel in the MLS crown." Five years ago, "who would have imagined that the Southern city that lives for college football would have embraced the game where footballers can't use their hands?" Bradley: "Who knew there was a market of the young and hip just waiting to go wild over soccer?" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 8/2).
SHINY NEW STADIUM: The AP's Paul Newberry noted the game was a “showcase” for Atlanta United and the $1.5B Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where “record crowds have flocked” since the club joined MLS in ’17. Atlanta United is “averaging nearly 52,000 per game this season and already has drawn [the] five largest single-game crowds in MLS history – each more than 70,000” (AP, 8/1). SOCCER AMERICA's Paul Kennedy wrote if you "have a chance to catch a game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, be sure to do so." It will "blow you away." Watching a game on television "doesn't do the stadium justice" (SOCCERAMERICA.com, 8/1).
ON TO ORLANDO: PRO SOCCER USA's Culver & DelGallo reported Orlando will host the '19 MLS All-Star Game, with MLS making good on a "contractual promise the league made to Orlando City when the club joined MLS" in '15. Orlando City officials always said that a "top priority after building a new stadium was to host the annual game." When Orlando City Stadium opened prior to the '17 season, Garber "reiterated the league's pledge to bring an All-Star Game to the city." The Central Florida Sports Commission "submitted a bid to host the event last year, and previously estimated it would cost $350,000 in operational expenses" (PROSOCCERUSA.com, 8/1).
