The announcement this evening kicked off with Alexi Lalas getting the event kicked off in Atlanta, Georgia as he announced that a special guest was entering in a neat way. With our attention set to the screen we watched as Don Garber flew into the announcment on a helicopter branded with the words #MLSATLANTA. As the crowd waitied for the commisioner they started chanting "MLS we are next...MLS we are next." Don Garber eneter the room with the new club owner in MLS, Arther Blank. Don Garber kicked off the speaker part of the announcement officially saying that in 2017 Atlanta will become apart of MLS as the 22nd team. Garber followed it up with saying the city of Atlanta has been on their radar since day one of the league, 20 years ago.
MLS Atlanta will field three academy teams that will start up on a date to be determined (but before 2017). The new stadium will be built downtown and be the home of both the Atlanta Falcons and the new MLS Expansion team. It will also be a first of it's kind with technology that will allow the stadium to be downsized for soccer games. "Making it one of the best venues for soccer not just in the southeast but in the world." Garber said about the new 2017 stadium. He finished hthe announcment up with saying tickets will be available for purchase shortly.
Atlanta, Georgia and Arthur Blank welcome to Major League Soccer.