Atlanta United rallied to defeat No. 1 seed and Supporters' Shield winners Inter Miami CF 2-1 in a thrilling Game 2 of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One Best-of-3 Series in front of 68,455 spectators on Saturday night.
All week leading up to the match, Atlanta United players and coaches called on supporters to be loud -- and 17s, as they always do, answered the call. Mercedes-Benz Stadium filled up for the home team's do-or-die moment, and the attendance was the fifth-highest for a postseason match in MLS history.
The noise level inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium definitely reached booming levels. When Xande Silva scored the game-winner for Atlanta United in second-half stoppage time to secure the win and force Game 3 with Inter Miami CF, the crowd went into a frenzy -- and could've been even louder.
"When Xande scored, man... thankfully for Arthur [Blank], the roof was open," said Atlanta United midfielder Dax McCarty. "If it was closed, it would've blown the roof off this place. That's how loud it was. I mean, just incredible.”
Besides a memorable win, the night was full of notable appearances. Arthur Blank, Atlanta United owner and Chairman of the Blank Family of Businesses hit the Golden Spike prior to kickoff. Rapper Pastor Troy gave a performance. Rapper Lil Yachty was in attendance as well as Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II from the Atlanta Braves.
The club also paid a special tribute to Macaroni Tony, a Day One supporter who sadly passed away last month.
The largest attendance in MLS postseason history remains the 2018 MLS Cup, which Atlanta both hosted and won. The attendance for that match was 73,019.
Between Saturday's match and Sunday's Atlanta Falcons game, it was a quick turnover for the staff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium but the venue made it happen and reaped the rewards. The stadium hosted more than 140,000 fans total in less than 24 hours. Both home teams pulled out a victory.
"It's crazy, it's so loud," Atlanta United interim head coach Rob Valentino said after Saturday's match. "It felt like I remember it. I'm grateful for the people that showed up. It was an unbelievable moment."
With the number Saturday night, Atlanta United holds four of the five most attended matches in MLS postseason history:
Postseason Round | Date | Attendance | Matchup |
|---|---|---|---|
MLS Cup 2018 | Dec. 8, 2018 | 73,019 | ATL 2-0 POR |
Conference Semifinals | Nov. 11, 2018 | 70,526 | ATL 3-1 NYC |
Conference Finals | Nov. 25, 2018 | 70,016 | ATL 3-0 NY |
MLS Cup 2019 | Nov. 10, 2019 | 69,274 | SEA 3-1 TOR |
Round One | Nov. 2, 2024 | 68,455 | ATL 2-1 MIA |
- December 8, 2018 - Atlanta United 2-0 Portland Timbers (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
- November 11, 2018 - Atlanta United 3-1 New York City FC (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
- November 25, 2018 - Atlanta United 3-0 New York Red Bulls (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
- November 10, 2019 - Seattle Sounders 3-1 Toronto FC (CenturyLink Field)
- November 2, 2024 - Atlanta United 2-1 Inter Miami CF (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
