PHOTOS: Atlanta Celebrates Soccer Champs With Parade, Pep Rally

Atlanta United players were celebrated with a parade Monday downtown.

On Monday, Atlanta celebrated a rare thing in its recent history: League Champions.

Atlanta United, having won the MLS cup Saturday night, were hailed in the streets with a parade through downtown and pep rally at Mercedes Benz Stadium.

Thousands of fans turned out to cheer the players, including league MVP and Golden Boot winner Josef Martinez.

United captured the crown in just its second season to set off a huge celebration in a city that has known so much sporting heartbreak.

“Hopefully, we can transcend that past,” defender Jeff Larentowicz said, “and move on to a new future for the city.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.