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{{Use American English|date=July 2013}}
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#REDIRECT [[Atlanta United FC]]
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname =
| current =
| image = Atlanta MLS.svg
| fullname =
| nickname =
| motto =
| founded = 2014
| ground = [[New Atlanta Stadium]]
| capacity = 29,322 <small>(MLS configuration)</small>
| owner = [[Arthur Blank]]
| chrtitle = President
| chairman = [[Darren Eales]]
| mgrtitle = Head Coach
| manager =
| league = [[Major League Soccer]]
| season =
| position =
| website =
| American = true
}}

'''Atlanta United FC''' is a [[Major League Soccer]] [[Expansion of Major League Soccer|expansion]] franchise in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] that plans to begin play in 2017. The team, which was announced by the league on April 16, 2014, will be owned and operated by [[Home Depot]] co-founder and [[Atlanta Falcons]] owner [[Arthur Blank]], and will play in the [[New Atlanta Stadium]], currently under construction. Following [[Orlando City Soccer Club (2015)|Orlando City]], United was the second expansion team in five months established in the [[southeastern United States]].

At the time of the team's announcement, Blank said he would get input from fans before naming the club,<ref name="AP 2014"/> while the colors will be primarily red and black, with some gold.<ref name="CBS 2014">{{cite news|last=Singer|first=Mike|title=MLS awards Atlanta, Falcons owner Blank new team for 2017|url=http://www.cbssports.com/general/eye-on-sports/24529566/mls-awards-atlanta-falcons-owner-blank-new-team-for-2017|accessdate=May 29, 2014|work=Eye on Sports|publisher=CBSSports.com|date=April 16, 2014}}</ref>

On June 25, 2015, [[Sports Illustrated]] reported that the team will be named '''Atlanta United FC'''. The official announcement of the team's name will take place on July 7.<ref>{{cite news|last=Straus|first=Brian|title=Atlanta United FC: MLS's 2017 expansion team selects its name|url=http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/06/25/atlanta-united-fc-mls-expansion-2017|accessdate=June 5, 2015|work=Planet Futbol|publisher=Sports Illustrated|date=June 25, 2015}}</ref>

==Expansion process==
At the time the expansion franchise was awarded in April 2014, Atlanta was the largest metropolitan area without an MLS franchise.<ref name="AP 2014">{{cite news| title = Atlanta Lands MLS Expansion Team for 2017|url = http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/atlanta-lands-mls-expansion-team-for-20171-041614 | accessdate = April 16, 2014 | first = Paul| last = Newberry |date= April 16, 2014| publisher=AP Sports}}</ref> Arthur Blank's AMB Group initially submitted a bid in 2008 for an expansion franchise,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2008-10-14-4126789750_x.htm |title=Falcons owner Blank puts in bid for MLS franchise |publisher=USAToday.com |date=October 14, 2008 |accessdate=June 7, 2012}}</ref> but withdrew the bid in early 2009 due to its inability to get a stadium built.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2009/01/12/daily110.html|title=Blank withdraws MLS soccer team bid|date= January 16, 2009|work=Atlanta Business Chronicle|first=John|last=Manasso}}</ref>

Dan Courtemanche, MLS's executive vice president, said in July 2010 that United was under consideration as a potential expansion market, and the league had regular discussions with the [[Atlanta Falcons]] owner [[Arthur Blank]] about bringing an MLS team to the area.<ref>{{cite news|author=Doug Roberson |url=http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-may-be-considered-571259.html |title=Atlanta may be considered by potential MLS owner |work=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=July 15, 2010 |accessdate=June 7, 2012}}</ref>
On May 11, 2012, MLS Commissioner Don Garber cited Atlanta as one of three "intriguing" markets for future league expansion.<ref>{{cite news|author=Greg Lalas |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/05/11/garber-discusses-intriguing-expansion-cities-beyond-ny |title=MLS monitoring "intriguing" expansion cities after NY |publisher=MLSsoccer.com |date=May 11, 2012 |accessdate=June 7, 2012}}</ref>

On May 16, 2012, at the Falcons' annual meeting with season ticket holders, Blank presented his case for a new stadium, saying in part that it could help attract a Major League Soccer franchise and potentially host [[FIFA World Cup Finals|World Cup]] matches.<ref>
{{cite news | title = Blank to season-ticket holders: new stadium could bring Major League Soccer team, benefit nearby neighborhoods| work = Creative Loafing Atlanta |first= Thomas| last = Wheatley|date = May 17, 2012| url = http://clatl.com/freshloaf/archives/2012/05/17/blank-to-season-ticket-holders-new-stadium-could-bring-major-league-soccer-team-benefit-nearby-neighborhoods | accessdate = February 15, 2014 }}
</ref> In November 2012, Garber said that if the Falcons could complete plans for a new stadium, MLS would "try to figure out how an MLS team could be part of their plans."<ref name="washingtonpost">{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2012/11/26/mls-commissioners-state-of-league/|title=MLS commissioner’s state of league|date= November 26, 2012|publisher=''The Washington Post''|work=Soccer Insider|first=Steven|last=Goff}}</ref> In March 2013, the city and the Falcons agreed to financing for the [[New Atlanta Stadium|new stadium]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9028345/atlanta-falcons-city-officials-agree-financing-terms-new-1-billion-stadium|title=Terms for Falcons stadium reached|agency=Associated Press|date=March 7, 2013}}</ref>

As of April 2013, the league and the Falcons were in contact regularly,<ref name="business chronicle"/> and [[Rich McKay]], Falcons president and CEO, said that the team was "open to various options, including [its] ownership of a team or someone else owning a team". Dan Courtemanche said, “We are big believers in the Atlanta market,” and cited the city's growing Hispanic population and corporations that could serve as sponsors.<ref name="business chronicle"/>

In May 2013, the [[Georgia Department of Economic Development]] board approved $30 million in bonds to finance the land purchase.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/business/bonds-approved-for-falcons-stadium-land-purchase/nX2H3/|title=Bonds approved for Falcons stadium land purchase|first=J. Scott|last=Trubey|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=May 23, 2013}}</ref> The stadium was set to open in 2017 and could be configured for professional soccer.<ref name="business chronicle">{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/print-edition/2013/04/26/falcons-ceo-atlanta-needs-mls-team.html?page=all|title=Falcons CEO: Atlanta needs MLS team|date=April 26, 2013|work=Atlanta Business Chronicle|first=Wenk|last=Amy|author2=Maria Saporta}}</ref>

In December 2013, during the MLS State of the League address, Garber emphasized MLS's goal of continuing to expand in the southeast, and added, "if we can continue to advance our discussions positively with Arthur [Blank] and the [Atlanta] Falcons, we hope to be able to get a situation finalized so that could potentially be our second team. Orlando being the first, maybe Atlanta or Miami would be the second or the third.”<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.soccerbyives.net/2013/12/indicates-expansion-favorites.html|title=GARBER REAFFIRMS MIAMI, ATLANTA AS EXPANSION FAVORITES|date= December 3, 2013|work=Soccer by Ives|first=Ives|last=Galarcep}}</ref>

Discussions between Blank and MLS accelerated following approval of the stadium plans.<ref name="SI Atlanta">{{cite news|url=http://soccer.si.com/2013/09/13/mls-expansion-team-likely-heading-atlantas-way/|title=MLS expansion team likely heading Atlanta's way|date=September 13, 2013|publisher=''Sports Illustrated''|work=Planet Fútbol|first=Brian|last=Straus}}</ref> In December 2013, Garber said the league was making progress in discussions with the Falcons and that the stadium situation was finalized.<ref name="SOTL 2013">{{cite news|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/mlscup/2013/news/article/2013/12/03/major-league-soccer-commissioner-don-garber-discusses-expansion-scheduling-l|title=MLS commissioner Don Garber discusses expansion, scheduling in latest State of the League address|date=December 3, 2013|first=Simon|last=Borg|publisher=MLSsoccer.com}}</ref> Courtemanche said in January 2014 that the city “remains a great prospect for MLS expansion,”<ref>{{cite news | title = Atlanta remains a candidate for MLS expansion| first= Doug| last=Roberson| url = http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/soccer/atlanta-remains-a-candidate-for-mls-expansion/|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution| date=January 28, 2014| accessdate = February 15, 2014 }}</ref>
and in February 2014, Rich McKay said the Falcons and MLS were “far along in negotiations.”<ref>{{cite web | title = Atlanta remains a candidate for MLS expansion| url = http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/soccer/atlanta-remains-a-candidate-for-mls-expansion/ |first=Leon|last=Stafford|date=February 6, 2014|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution| accessdate = February 15, 2014 }}</ref>

Blank announced the expansion franchise on April 16, 2014, and said the fans would be involved in choosing the name, logo and "a color scheme that'll work with the red and black with a little bit of gold mixed in"<ref name="CBS 2014"/> (the colors used by the Falcons when they launched in 1966<ref name="GM Jim Smith">{{cite news|last=Straus|first=Brian|title=Former Crew GM, current Falcons VP confident Blank, MLS will be fruitful combo|url=http://soccer.si.com/2014/04/18/atlanta-mls-jim-smith-arthur-blank-expansion/|accessdate=May 29, 2014|work=Planet Fútbol|publisher=SI.com|date=April 18, 2014}}</ref>).

United became the second franchise awarded in the southeastern United States in five months, following [[Orlando City Soccer Club (2015)|Orlando City]] announced in late 2013, in a region that had been without MLS teams after the failures of [[Miami Fusion]] and [[Tampa Bay Mutiny]].<ref name="Creditor 2014">{{cite news
| title = MLS awards 2017 expansion franchise to Atlanta, owner Arthur&nbsp;Blank|work=Planet Fútbol|publisher=SI.com|first=Avi|last=Creditor | url = http://soccer.si.com/2014/04/16/mls-awards-2017-expansion-franchise-to-atlanta-owner-arthur-blank/ | accessdate = April 16, 2014 |date=April 16, 2014}}</ref>

On June 25, 2015, [[Sports Illustrated]] reported that the team will be named Atlanta United FC. The official announcement of the team's name will take place on July 7.<ref>{{cite news|last=Straus|first=Brian|title=Atlanta United FC: MLS's 2017 expansion team selects its name|url=http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/06/25/atlanta-united-fc-mls-expansion-2017|accessdate=June 5, 2015|work=Planet Futbol|publisher=Sports Illustrated|date=June 25, 2015}}</ref> Franchise president, Darren Eales, confirmed the new name, calling it "authentic".<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/pro-sports/atlanta-united-fc-reportedly-name-of-mls-team/nmk4c/ |title=Eales: Atlanta United FC name is ‘authentic’ |publisher=[[Atlanta Journal Constitution]] |first=Doug |last=Roberson |date=June 25, 2015}}</ref>

==Stadium==
{{main|New Atlanta Stadium}}
In the April 2014 press release announcing the team's launch, the league said United will begin play in 2017 in the [[New Atlanta Stadium|retractable-roof stadium]] being built for the Falcons in downtown Atlanta. While the stadium has a capacity of 65,000, it can be reduced to 29,322 for the MLS team.<ref name="Creditor 2014"/> Blank said stands would be retractable to accommodate a larger pitch and allow better sight lines, while curtains would be used to close off the upper section to create an intimate atmosphere. Blank also said, "There will never be an MLS game in Atlanta where NFL lines are shown on the field."<ref name="AP 2014"/>

==Ownership==
{{See also|Arthur Blank}}
[[File:Arthurblank.jpg|thumb|[[Arthur Blank]] is the owner of Atlanta United FC]]
Team owner Arthur M. Blank is an American businessman and a co-founder of [[The Home Depot]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Our History|url=http://corporate.homedepot.com/wps/portal/!ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDdwNHH0sfE3M3AzMPJ8MAF0sDKND388jPTdUvyHZUBAB6afqn/dl2/d1/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnB3LzZfMEcwQUw5TDQ3RjA2SEIxUEY5MDAwMDAwMDA!/|work=homedepot.com|publisher=The Home Depot|accessdate=January 8, 2011}}</ref> Today he is known for his [[philanthropy]] and his ownership of the [[Atlanta Falcons]] in the [[National Football League]].<ref>{{cite web|title=ARTHUR BLANK - OWNER AND CEO|url=http://www.atlantafalcons.com/roster-staffs/arthur-blank/|work=atlantafalcons.com|accessdate=January 8, 2011}}</ref>

== Staff ==
On March 2, 2015, United announced the hiring of former [[United States national men's soccer team|United States]] defender [[Carlos Bocanegra]] as [[Director of football|technical director]].<ref>{{cite press release | title = MLS Atlanta Announces Carlos Bocanegra as Club Technical Director | publisher = MLSAtlanta2017.com | url = http://mlsatlanta2017.com/mls-atlanta-announces-carlos-bocanegra-as-club-technical-director/
| accessdate = March 25, 2015 | date = March 2, 2015}}</ref>

==Supporter group==
Terminus Legion is a supporter group that was created in March 2011 by graphic designer Matt Stigall, who wanted a way to show that Atlanta fans would support soccer despite the perception of the city as a "lazy sports town". The group was named after [[History of Atlanta#From railroad terminus to Atlanta: 1836-1860|the name given to Atlanta when it was first settled]], and its logo featuring a [[cow catcher]] and [[railroad tie]]s reflect the city's history as a locomotive hub. In the days since the expansion team was awarded, its membership doubled to over 500, and in the time leading up to 2017, Stigall said the group would support "all Atlanta soccer" including the [[Atlanta Silverbacks]] of the NASL and at the grassroots level, and make road trips to [[D.C. United]] and [[Orlando City Soccer Club (2015)|Orlando City]] matches.<ref>{{cite news|last=Borg|first=SImon|title=Meet the newest MLS supporters group: Atlanta's Terminus Legion|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/18/meet-newest-mls-supporters-group-atlantas-terminus-legion|accessdate=May 29, 2014|publisher=MLSSoccer.com|date=April 18, 2014}}</ref>

The supporters of the new MLS team had already pledged to purchase more than 20,000 season tickets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/soccer/story/2015-04-24/mls-expansion-don-garber-miami-david-beckham-la-atlanta-minnesota-san-antonio-st-louis-sacramento|title=MLS commissioner promises expansion beyond 24 teams|work=Sporting News|accessdate=April 28, 2015}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://mlsatlanta2017.com/ MLSAtlanta2017.com]

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{{Atlanta United FC}}
{{Major League Soccer}}
{{USSoccer}}
{{Atlanta Sports}}
{{Georgia Sports}}
{{Portalbar|Atlanta|Soccer in the United States}}

[[Category:Atlanta MLS team| ]]
[[Category:Soccer clubs in Atlanta, Georgia]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 2014]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer teams]]
[[Category:Proposed sports teams]]

Revision as of 02:54, 26 June 2015

Founded2014
GroundNew Atlanta Stadium
Capacity29,322 (MLS configuration)
OwnerArthur Blank
PresidentDarren Eales
LeagueMajor League Soccer

Atlanta United FC is a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Atlanta, Georgia that plans to begin play in 2017. The team, which was announced by the league on April 16, 2014, will be owned and operated by Home Depot co-founder and Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, and will play in the New Atlanta Stadium, currently under construction. Following Orlando City, United was the second expansion team in five months established in the southeastern United States.

At the time of the team's announcement, Blank said he would get input from fans before naming the club,[1] while the colors will be primarily red and black, with some gold.[2]

On June 25, 2015, Sports Illustrated reported that the team will be named Atlanta United FC. The official announcement of the team's name will take place on July 7.[3]

Expansion process

At the time the expansion franchise was awarded in April 2014, Atlanta was the largest metropolitan area without an MLS franchise.[1] Arthur Blank's AMB Group initially submitted a bid in 2008 for an expansion franchise,[4] but withdrew the bid in early 2009 due to its inability to get a stadium built.[5]

Dan Courtemanche, MLS's executive vice president, said in July 2010 that United was under consideration as a potential expansion market, and the league had regular discussions with the Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank about bringing an MLS team to the area.[6] On May 11, 2012, MLS Commissioner Don Garber cited Atlanta as one of three "intriguing" markets for future league expansion.[7]

On May 16, 2012, at the Falcons' annual meeting with season ticket holders, Blank presented his case for a new stadium, saying in part that it could help attract a Major League Soccer franchise and potentially host World Cup matches.[8] In November 2012, Garber said that if the Falcons could complete plans for a new stadium, MLS would "try to figure out how an MLS team could be part of their plans."[9] In March 2013, the city and the Falcons agreed to financing for the new stadium.[10]

As of April 2013, the league and the Falcons were in contact regularly,[11] and Rich McKay, Falcons president and CEO, said that the team was "open to various options, including [its] ownership of a team or someone else owning a team". Dan Courtemanche said, “We are big believers in the Atlanta market,” and cited the city's growing Hispanic population and corporations that could serve as sponsors.[11]

In May 2013, the Georgia Department of Economic Development board approved $30 million in bonds to finance the land purchase.[12] The stadium was set to open in 2017 and could be configured for professional soccer.[11]

In December 2013, during the MLS State of the League address, Garber emphasized MLS's goal of continuing to expand in the southeast, and added, "if we can continue to advance our discussions positively with Arthur [Blank] and the [Atlanta] Falcons, we hope to be able to get a situation finalized so that could potentially be our second team. Orlando being the first, maybe Atlanta or Miami would be the second or the third.”[13]

Discussions between Blank and MLS accelerated following approval of the stadium plans.[14] In December 2013, Garber said the league was making progress in discussions with the Falcons and that the stadium situation was finalized.[15] Courtemanche said in January 2014 that the city “remains a great prospect for MLS expansion,”[16] and in February 2014, Rich McKay said the Falcons and MLS were “far along in negotiations.”[17]

Blank announced the expansion franchise on April 16, 2014, and said the fans would be involved in choosing the name, logo and "a color scheme that'll work with the red and black with a little bit of gold mixed in"[2] (the colors used by the Falcons when they launched in 1966[18]).

United became the second franchise awarded in the southeastern United States in five months, following Orlando City announced in late 2013, in a region that had been without MLS teams after the failures of Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny.[19]

On June 25, 2015, Sports Illustrated reported that the team will be named Atlanta United FC. The official announcement of the team's name will take place on July 7.[20] Franchise president, Darren Eales, confirmed the new name, calling it "authentic".[21]

Stadium

Main article: New Atlanta Stadium

In the April 2014 press release announcing the team's launch, the league said United will begin play in 2017 in the retractable-roof stadium being built for the Falcons in downtown Atlanta. While the stadium has a capacity of 65,000, it can be reduced to 29,322 for the MLS team.[19] Blank said stands would be retractable to accommodate a larger pitch and allow better sight lines, while curtains would be used to close off the upper section to create an intimate atmosphere. Blank also said, "There will never be an MLS game in Atlanta where NFL lines are shown on the field."[1]

Ownership

See also: Arthur Blank
Arthur Blank is the owner of Atlanta United FC

Team owner Arthur M. Blank is an American businessman and a co-founder of The Home Depot.[22] Today he is known for his philanthropy and his ownership of the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League.[23]

Staff

On March 2, 2015, United announced the hiring of former United States defender Carlos Bocanegra as technical director.[24]

Supporter group

Terminus Legion is a supporter group that was created in March 2011 by graphic designer Matt Stigall, who wanted a way to show that Atlanta fans would support soccer despite the perception of the city as a "lazy sports town". The group was named after the name given to Atlanta when it was first settled, and its logo featuring a cow catcher and railroad ties reflect the city's history as a locomotive hub. In the days since the expansion team was awarded, its membership doubled to over 500, and in the time leading up to 2017, Stigall said the group would support "all Atlanta soccer" including the Atlanta Silverbacks of the NASL and at the grassroots level, and make road trips to D.C. United and Orlando City matches.[25]

The supporters of the new MLS team had already pledged to purchase more than 20,000 season tickets.[26]

References

  1. ^ a b c Newberry, Paul (April 16, 2014). "Atlanta Lands MLS Expansion Team for 2017". AP Sports. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  2. ^ a b Singer, Mike (April 16, 2014). "MLS awards Atlanta, Falcons owner Blank new team for 2017". Eye on Sports. CBSSports.com. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  3. ^ Straus, Brian (June 25, 2015). "Atlanta United FC: MLS's 2017 expansion team selects its name". Planet Futbol. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  4. ^ "Falcons owner Blank puts in bid for MLS franchise". USAToday.com. October 14, 2008. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  5. ^ Manasso, John (January 16, 2009). "Blank withdraws MLS soccer team bid". Atlanta Business Chronicle.
  6. ^ Doug Roberson (July 15, 2010). "Atlanta may be considered by potential MLS owner". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  7. ^ Greg Lalas (May 11, 2012). "MLS monitoring "intriguing" expansion cities after NY". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  8. ^ Wheatley, Thomas (May 17, 2012). "Blank to season-ticket holders: new stadium could bring Major League Soccer team, benefit nearby neighborhoods". Creative Loafing Atlanta. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  9. ^ Goff, Steven (November 26, 2012). "MLS commissioner's state of league". Soccer Insider. The Washington Post. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ "Terms for Falcons stadium reached". Associated Press. March 7, 2013.
  11. ^ a b c Amy, Wenk; Maria Saporta (April 26, 2013). "Falcons CEO: Atlanta needs MLS team". Atlanta Business Chronicle.
  12. ^ Trubey, J. Scott (May 23, 2013). "Bonds approved for Falcons stadium land purchase". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  13. ^ Galarcep, Ives (December 3, 2013). "GARBER REAFFIRMS MIAMI, ATLANTA AS EXPANSION FAVORITES". Soccer by Ives.
  14. ^ Straus, Brian (September 13, 2013). "MLS expansion team likely heading Atlanta's way". Planet Fútbol. Sports Illustrated. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ Borg, Simon (December 3, 2013). "MLS commissioner Don Garber discusses expansion, scheduling in latest State of the League address". MLSsoccer.com.
  16. ^ Roberson, Doug (January 28, 2014). "Atlanta remains a candidate for MLS expansion". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  17. ^ Stafford, Leon (February 6, 2014). "Atlanta remains a candidate for MLS expansion". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  18. ^ Straus, Brian (April 18, 2014). "Former Crew GM, current Falcons VP confident Blank, MLS will be fruitful combo". Planet Fútbol. SI.com. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  19. ^ a b Creditor, Avi (April 16, 2014). "MLS awards 2017 expansion franchise to Atlanta, owner Arthur Blank". Planet Fútbol. SI.com. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  20. ^ Straus, Brian (June 25, 2015). "Atlanta United FC: MLS's 2017 expansion team selects its name". Planet Futbol. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  21. ^ Roberson, Doug (June 25, 2015), Eales: Atlanta United FC name is ‘authentic’, Atlanta Journal Constitution
  22. ^ "Our History". homedepot.com. The Home Depot. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  23. ^ "ARTHUR BLANK - OWNER AND CEO". atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  24. ^ "MLS Atlanta Announces Carlos Bocanegra as Club Technical Director" (Press release). MLSAtlanta2017.com. March 2, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  25. ^ Borg, SImon (April 18, 2014). "Meet the newest MLS supporters group: Atlanta's Terminus Legion". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  26. ^ "MLS commissioner promises expansion beyond 24 teams". Sporting News. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
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