Atlanta United's title win on Saturday drew a record MLS crowd of more than 73,000 fansGETTY IMAGES
Atlanta United's MLS Cup victory "might serve as a watershed moment for the 23-year old MLS," as the team "set a new standard for its MLS competitors," according to Jim Reineking of USA TODAY. Atlanta United, in only its second year, was "arguably the most ambitious soccer club in the Western Hemisphere." Atlanta United has "paid record fees to attain talent, while at the same time shattering MLS attendance records." Now, the club "has a championship trophy to validate those on- and off-field efforts" (USATODAY.com, 12/8). Fox' Alexi Lalas said, "This is the club by which all others are measured." Lalas: "What they have done over the last two years is remarkable in terms of the level of relevancy and success they've had on and off the field" ("MLS Cup Pregame," Fox, 12/8). THE ATHLETIC's Paul Tenorio wrote Atlanta United "changed the way we think about the potential for MLS." The lesson for the rest of the league to take away is the "how of Atlanta's path to its first MLS Cup." Tenorio: "This is now the team -- and the model -- for everyone else to chase" (THEATHLETIC.com, 12/9). In N.Y., Joel Petterson noted Atlanta United has "carefully built an infrastructure that it hopes will be able to sustain high standards for years to come." Atlanta United Owner Arthur Blank said, "This thing came out of the earth, and is not going back in." However, Petterson noted a "dose of reality will be waiting" for the club this offseason, as manager Gerardo Martino is "departing." Atlanta United MF Miguel Almiron, who finished second in the MVP voting, also is "expected to leave for Europe," and F Josef Martinez "might be right behind him" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/9). However, THE ATHLETIC's Jeff Schultz wrote there is "nothing to suggest Atlanta United is going to become a feeble afterthought." This is a franchise that has "done everything right from day one." That desire "will continue, and so should the club's stature in the league and the city" (THEATHLETIC.com, 12/9).
NEW SOCCER CITY: SI.com's Grant Wahl wrote the crowd noise at Saturday's final against the Timbers "was deafening" inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The fans "never sat down and they fed off the energy created by the hardcore supporters behind the goal." Atlanta United is "unlike anything MLS has ever seen, and it's a testament to the vision" that Blank had when he "started the team in the first place" (SI.com, 12/9). In Atlanta, Chris Vivlamore noted the MLS Cup-record crowd of 73,019 had a "cheering that intensified as the outcome became more and more apparent with each passing second." Atlanta United MF Julian Gressel said, "My ears are ringing. Is that a good description?" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 12/9). SI.com's Wahl wrote the "biggest star this week was Atlanta, the soccer city." In just the second year of the club's existence, the Atlanta United "permeate the culture here." Wahl: "On Thursday, I listened to local sports talk radio in the car dissect the finer points of the soccer team. On Friday, I walked past the kind of popup merchandise stores downtown that you only see when people really and truly care about something. ... And on Saturday, witnessing the deafening spectacle inside the stadium felt like attending a Pentecostal soccer revival with 73,019 of your closest friends" (SI.com, 12/9).
WINNING ORGANIZATION: USA TODAY's Dan Wolken wrote Atlanta United "hit on two key things: The city's younger, more urbane demographic that is naturally drawn to a sport like soccer and the fact that very few people had a previous attachment to an MLS team." Atlanta United brass "made all the right moves, from branding and promotions to building top-class facilities to spending big money on players" like Martinez and Almiron (USATODAY.com, 12/9). In Atlanta, Ernie Suggs wrote Atlanta United has "tapped into the swelling ranks of out-of-state and out-of-country transplants." Many American transplants "bring their professional sports teams with them, but soccer is often a blank slate" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 12/9).
ONE SHINING MOMENT: In Atlanta, Steve Hummer wrote under the header, "United's Victory Blank's Crowning Sports Moment -- So Far." Blank was on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium field "sporting a nice silver medal around his neck" acknowledging the title, and "expressed a sense of wonder and satisfaction at a championship played out before more than 73,000 fans." Blank said, "I was crying inside. My greatest joy whether it's the Atlanta Falcons or Atlanta United is pleasing others, bringing joy to others. So, tonight to see the joy we brought to the city of Atlanta and really the world of Major League Soccer, means a lot to me personally." Hummer wrote the fact that this title "came in soccer and not in the most important league in America, the NFL, mattered not one bit" to Blank. Blank said that the "importance of this one was obvious" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 12/9).
