Franchises

Atlanta United Increases Number Of Games With Upper Deck Open

Atlanta United averaged 53,002 fans per game this season, which led MLS for the second straight yeargetty images

The upper deck of Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be "open for at least six of Atlanta United's regular-season games next year," according to Doug Roberson of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. The stadium was "open to its full capacity for five regular-season games" in '18, when the team "led MLS in average attendance (53,002) for the second consecutive season." The upper deck was also "fully open for playoff games" against NYCFC and the Red Bulls, as well as for the MLS Cup final against the Timbers (AJC.com, 12/27).

TAKING THE REINS: Atlanta United on Sunday hired Frank de Boer as the team's new coach, and THE ATHLETIC's Felipe Cardenas noted de Boer’s "first real test will be to convince a group of professionals that have become accustomed to the ways and thinking" of former coach Tata Martino that he too can "make them better players." Martino publicly said that having a "close, personal relationship with his players was important to him." De Boer speaks "both Spanish and English, characteristics that will be needed to manage Atlanta United’s dressing room." Atlanta United President Darren Eales said, "My view is that coaches can match certain clubs. For us, we felt that (De Boer) was a real match from a culture perspective." He added, "Of course being multilingual, having both English and Spanish with the squad that we have was something that was going to help us with a smooth transition with the leadership" (THEATHLETIC.com, 12/23).

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