Atlanta United sets MLS attendance record as over 70K pack new stadium

Consider this proof of soccer's success in Atlanta.

On Saturday, Atlanta United FC set a single-game attendance record in Major League Soccer, as 70,425 supporters poured into Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the club's game versus Orlando City SC. The previous record was held by the LA Galaxy, who drew 69,255 fans to the Rose Bowl for their first-ever game in 1996.

Atlanta United is also within touching distance of the single-season attendance record in MLS. Through 11 of 17 home games, the Five Stripes are averaging 45,811 supporters per match. The Seattle Sounders averaged 44,247 fans per game in 2015. It must be noted, however, that the North American Soccer League's New York Cosmos hold the single-season attendance record for a professional club in the United States of America and Canada, as they averaged 47,856 in 1978.

One of those in attendance for Atlanta United's game against Orlando City was franchise owner Arthur Blank. He carried out the matchday tradition of hammering the Golden Spike into the railroad platform fronting the supporters section.

Atlanta United equaled the largest margin of victory in MLS history on Friday with a 7-0 victory over the New England Revolution in front of 45,314 people.