Eales (center-right) believes the Atlanta area has cultivated one of the best soccer cultures in the worldMARC BRYAN-BROWN
Atlanta United FC debuted as an MLS expansion team in '17. It won the MLS Cup in '18. And in '19, it was named the Sports Team of the Year at the Sports Business Awards. Atlanta United topped the reigning NBA champion Warriors, the Stanley Cup champion Capitals, two teams from Milwaukee -- the Bucks and Brewers -- and a fellow soccer club, the NWSL Portland Thorns. Atlanta United’s success was not limited to winning on the field. It also set an MLS record for average attendance at 55,730 fans per game, while outranking several of the world’s biggest soccer clubs, such as EPL club Liverpool FC. Atlanta United President Darren Eales, who accepted the award on behalf of the club, said that the city has developed one of the best soccer cultures in the world. “That they’ve shown up for every match and every event in the history of our club in the way that they have has been immense -- they are the real reason that we’ve won the award," said Eales.
