Expansion Atlanta United leads MLS in attendance, passing Sounders

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This Sunday, March 5, 2017, photo, shows a general view of Bobby Dodd Stadium in the second half of an MLS soccer game between the New York Red Bulls and Atlanta United FC, in Atlanta. Atlanta leads the MLS in attendance, averaging 46,482 fans per game through eight home matches. The Seattle Sounders, the longtime MLS league-leaders in attendance, are second with 42,628 per game. Photo: Associated Press/(AP Photo/Todd Kirkland)

The Seattle Sounders fan base has been passed by an expansion club. Atlanta United currently leads Major League Soccer in average attendance while playing at a temporary home.

According to the Associated Press, Atlanta is averaging 46,482 fans per game. Seattle, the defending MLS champs and longtime leaders in attendance, are second with an average of 42,628.

Sports fans sit in the stands at CenturyLink Field in Seattle during an international friendly soccer match between the Seattle Sounders and Eintracht Frankfurt, Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Seattle has lead the MLS in attendance for 8 straight years. That run may come to an end this season and the disparity with Atlanta could increase. The club, which currently plays at Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium, is scheduled to play their first game in the new 1.5 billion dollar Mercedes Benz Stadium September 10th. Atlanta will share the 75-thousand seat capacity stadium with the Falcons of NFL.

Atlanta United President Darren Eales told the AP “I thought it would take us more time to create that soccer culture and our own Atlanta United culture, but from day one it’s been the most unbelievable atmosphere,” Eales said. “The fans stand for the whole 90 minutes.”

(KPUG – Doug Lange; Information from the Associated press used in this story.)

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