GOAL! Atlanta Awarded MLS Team

WABE’s Rose Scott reports major league soccer is expanding to the south and Atlanta is getting a team.

Broadcast version of this story.

Everyone attending Wednesday’s announcement was in a party mood and cheered as MLS commissioner Don Garber made the announcement.

“On behalf of soccer fans across America, it is my pleasure to welcome the city of Atlanta, the state of Georgia to major league soccer. Can’t wait ’til 2017!”

Garber told the crowd the league had been eyeing Atlanta for a while.

“It’s a growing city. It’s one of the largest cities in North America. It has a rich sports tradition and embodies what we call a new America. An America that’s blossoming with ethnic diversity that’s really connected globally, that has young people that grew up with our game.”

The man, who longed for a MLS team, is Atlanta Falcons owner, Arthur Blank.

He’ll now have two sports teams playing in the new one billion dollar stadium.

“The stadium will be able to widen the lower seats; they’ll go out and have sight lines directly down to the field. It’s going to have that intimacy which we know is important for all sports, but in this case for soccer very specifically.”

Blank is also paying seventy-million dollars for the expansion fee.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed says the new MLS team could help draw an even bigger international event.

“I’m very confident that we’re going to win a significant part of the world cup competition.”

While MLS officials, Arthur Blank and the city are hyped about the team, fan support is also crucial.

And if you’re not into soccer, these fans have some advice.

“It’s a feeling that you won’t get to experience very many times in a lifetime,” says twelve year old Angelina.

“It’s really worth it, you should really get into it,” says thirteen year old Alex.

“It’s the best sport to me,” says eleven year old Christopher.

“You can run around and you can kick a lot,” says little six year old Davin.

There’s no name for the new MLS team.

Arthur Blank says that will be left up to the fans.