Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month in style
2024 marks the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese calendar. To not only celebrate the traits that are associated with the Year of the Dragon – including wisdom and strength – but also Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage Month, Atlanta United’s Scarf of the Month for May featured a golden dragon. Senior creative director at AMB Sports and Entertainment, Larry Luk, helped design the scarf.
"Seeing my club supporting initiatives like AAPI month means so much to me. Although it’s just a scarf, it has deeper meaning to people like me and those that look like me. Representation matters. Being seen is everything,” said Luk.
Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup or commonly known as the USOC is a knockout round competition in men’s soccer. It features teams from a variety of American soccer leagues, including MLS and USL. The tournament is the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the U.S. and the third-longest-running open soccer tournament in the world.
Atlanta United was crowned champions of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2019. Atlanta United knocked off rival Orlando City 2-0 in the semifinals, then beat Minnesota United 2-1 in the final to win the first Open Cup title in club history.
The 5-Stripes began their 2024 USOC journey on May 7, in the Round of 32, when they faced USL League One club Charlotte Independence. It was a dominant 3-0 win for Atlanta; homegrown Nick Firmino scored two goals while Daniel Rios sealed the 3-0 win late in the match.
For the Round of 16, Atlanta had to face a strong team in Charleston Battery. The USL Championship team had not lost a game in USL play and were undefeated at home. The match went the full 120 minutes and required a penalty shoutout. It took to back-to-back stops by goalkeeper Josh Cohen to advance Atlanta United to the quarterfinals.
In the quarterfinals, Atlanta will host Indy Eleven. The match will be played at Fifth Third Stadium in Kennesaw on Tuesday, July 9, at 7 pm. The winner will advance to play either FC Dallas or Sporting Kansas City in the semifinals.
Presale access for Atlanta United Season Ticket Members for the Quarterfinal match will begin on Tuesday, May 28. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, May 31, should inventory remain following presale access. For more information, visit \*\*www.atlutd.com/tickets\*\*.
Mayhem Match against Inter Miami FC
The 5-Stripes had been looking for a statement win since the beginning of April. A road match against the Eastern Conference leader captained by a rested Lionel Messi was no easy feat. But on Wednesday, May 29, Atlanta pulled off the win against Miami in exciting and commanding fashion. It was Saba time as Saba Lobjanidze got a brace while Jamal Thiare sealed the 3-1 victory for the club.
The win ended the club’s nine match no win streak. Lobjanidze, along with defender Stian Gregersen and head coach Gonzalo Pineda all made MLS Team of the Matchday 17. Lobjanidze was the Player of the Match for matchday 17 as well.
This win was the 100th win in club history, and the third goal of the match by Thiare was the 400th goal in club history. It was also the first time Messi has lost a match he has scored in since Argentina's loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening match of the 2022 World Cup
Staying on Track with Atlanta United
With advancements being made in MLS, Atlanta United in specific, to understand and utilize analytics, we have decided to look at the stats behind the scenes. Thus, in May, a new weekly content series was launched with the help of metrics provided by Statsbomb.
The first Staying on Track focused on Atlanta’s territorial dominance. As a more offensively minded, proactive team gaining and keeping possession is a characteristic of 5-Stripes soccer.
“As StatsBomb puts it, “territorial dominance is not the end-all, be-all" for attacking opportunities. Many other factors improve a team’s performance, among them shooting skill (which we’ve studied defensively with post-shot expected goals) and defensive pressure (which we studied last week with Almada)” | View Staying on Track: Atlanta united pursuit of territorial dominance
Another Staying on Track highlighted the importance of Atlanta United’s farm system and how the homegrown have blossomed while injuries ran through the lineup.
“Cobb is one of several young players who’ve been called upon during the first third of Atlanta United’s season to play significant time. Five Atlanta United Homegrowns, or club-developed players, have logged minutes in MLS play this season – Cobb, Caleb Wiley, Efraín Morales, Jay Fortune and Tyler Wolff. Five ranks fifth in MLS. | View Staying on Track: Atlanta United’s homegrowns have stepped up in the absence of experienced starters.
MLS Rivalry Week coincides with Atlanta United Equinox
Mid-May was rivalry week for the MLS. On Saturday, Atlanta United traveled to the Music City to take on regional rival, Nashville SC. But the first team was not the only club that got in on the action that day. It was a rivalry edition of the Atlanta United Equinox. Atlanta United, Atlanta United 2, Atlanta United Unified, and the Academy’s U17 squad all played on May 18.
- Atlanta United had a comeback 1-1 draw against Nashville SC.
- Atlanta United 2 earned a 3-2 road victory over Huntsville City FC.
- Atlanta United Unified team won 2-0 over Nashville SC Unified.
Arthur Blank acknowledged by Sports Business Journal
On Wednesday, May 22nd, Atlanta United club owner, Arthur M. Blank, was given the Sports Business Journal Lifetime Achievement Award.
From co-founding Home Depot to purchasing the Atlanta Falcons to establishing what the Atlanta United brand is to this day, Blank’s impact on sports and the city of Atlanta is a rich text. He spearheaded the development of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where Atlanta United calls home. Blank is also big into philanthropic endeavors, often marrying his love for helping other with his love for sports.
He received the honor in his home state of New York and joined the likes of impactful names in sports.
