#mlsatlanta

[travislove]

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For those who couldn’t make it out to the shoe release, here’s a recap vid!! Big thanks to everyone who came and showed support ✌🏾❤️ @darlington.nagbe x @richthekid x @wishatl x @adidas x @travisloveart : : NOW AVAILABLE : LINK IN BIO : 🙏🏾📸: @shubhproductions : : : #travisloveart#adidas#wishatl#mlsatlanta#game#football#travislove#creative#recap#video#cinimatography#love (at Atlanta, Georgia)

[araenee]

Atlanta United is building a model for the world, not just MLS | IFD

I see you #ATLUTD :) #MLSAtlanta

http://www.italianfootballdaily.com/atlanta-united-building-model-world-not-just-mls/

[atlantaunitedfc]

WE ARE NOW ATLANTA UNITED FC!

 *this blog will be under construction*

[bmanis]

I really hope the Atlanta MLS team doesn't get some cheesy "the Atlanta _____s". it'd be just so dang cheesy.

[bar90]

Millions of Peaches

"A-T-L, Georgia. What do we do for ya." - Big Boi

Apparently provide Major League Soccer with its latest franchise team. The Georgia Peaches - as they're soon to be called (but not really) - are set to join MLS along with Orlando and possibly Miami. The latter of which is depending upon David Beckham's abs and a new stadium. Atlanta Falcons owner, millionaire, and bank-roller of the Atlanta team, Arthur Banks, has been vocal about his desire to bring professional soccer to the city for the past decade. Though responsible for fronting the $70 million expansion fee, Banks claims to be neutral in regards to the team's name. The colors, however, will be red, white, and gold. I call bullshit.

Upon hearing the news, numerous outlets and Twitter tweeters everywhere began posting this picture with #MLSATLANTA. While it has the MLS logo and Atlanta skyline, I have suspicion that this is actually a guerrilla campaign spearheaded by Banks to provide a constant, subtle reminder of where the good people of Atlanta, and the country, should purchase their lumber and utility tools: Home Depot. 

It should come as no surprise that Banks is the co-founder of Home Depot. Red, white, and gold? Don't be shocked if, come 2017, the footballers gracing the pitch of the $1.2 billion stadium are wearing these as their kits: 

On a more serious note: many are left wondering if Major League Soccer is ready for such a large expansion. Of all the pieces I've read so far, the best was written by Will Parchman long before the announcement was made, and discussed the topic of money and the development of players brilliantly. 

"Most in England probably wouldn’t trade the big money realities of today’s Premier League for a smaller, more boutique league like MLS that relies more on its own call-ups. But I think that sentiment is beginning to swing."  

For many, the main argument is whether or not these cities can sustain a professional soccer team. To me, though, and I think Parchman articulates it perfectly, MLS teams represent that boutique feel. They can't compete with the big guys because they don't have the resources and, perhaps more importantly, the customers. But that's perfectly acceptable. Currently Major League Soccer offers a unique experience for sporting fans in this country. As the League expands and attracts bigger investors, part of that hipster, I found-it first mentality will begin to fade. This begs the question: "What is the peak of Major League Soccer?" Will their come a day when it is mentioned in the same category as the NFL, MLB, and NBA? Expansion seems like the obvious way to build a fan base, but there is a chance that an attempt at too much growth could actually prevent natural expansion. Currently, all that "big money" is buying us is Europe's aging elite, and it comes at the cost of developing our own regional talents. I would argue that the best hope for Major League Soccer is not rapid expansion, but rather the development of the greatest pool of athletes in the entire world: our own backyard.

[yourtake]

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In Atlanta: Soccer great Alexi Lalas opens the #mlsatlanta event. "It's a great day for this city!" (By @polina_marinova) #soccer #mls #atl