Atlanta United had the fourth biggest crowd in world soccer this weekend
Atlanta United's first-ever MLS match may have ended in disappointment, but the club can take some solace with their crowd numbers: Their home opener pulled in 55,297 fans, fourth most in the world over the weekend.
Only Borussia Dortmund (79,100), Barcelona (77,117) and Manchester United (75,245) drew bigger crowds this weekend. Atlanta's sellout beat out the likes of Borussia Monchengladbach (with 54,014 in attendance) and Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal (53,656).
Perhaps most significantly, Atlanta's attendance beat out that of Liverpool's crucial clash with Arsenal in the Premier League, with Anfield drawing a crowd of 53,146, which was less than 1,000 away from a sellout crowd.
Atlanta crushed the opening day numbers for every other MLS club, doubling the attendance of the next highest on the list, which was Orlando City's crowd of 25,527. Orlando's match was a sellout crowd and the debut of their brand-new stadium.
United may have lost 2-1 on the day, falling victim to a dramatic come-from-behind victory by the New York Red Bulls, but the incredible turnout is definitely a win for the brand new franchise.
