Atlanta United has always had an eye for histrionics. From winning the MLS Cup in its second season to setting the league-wide attendance record, the Five Stripes always want to be the franchise on everyone’s mind and the party on everyone’s list.
Some of Atlanta’s MLS competitors take umbrage with this. Philadelphia Union coach Jim Curtin called Atlanta out publicly for its relentless, festive atmosphere.
“No knock on Atlanta, but if you check the drivers’ licenses at an Atlanta United game, they’re from all over the place,” he told The Athletic. “Because that’s just the place to party. You’ve got 50,000 people getting together to party … our crowd is a real crowd.”
As the opening MLS weekend came to a close, Atlanta United didn’t care one bit about perceived “realness.” They came from behind to beat the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, 2-1, in front of 65,000 screaming, and yes, partying fans, thanks to two dramatic extra-time goals from one of the league’s top prospects: Argentina’s Thiago Almada.
Almada is MLS’s first active World Cup winner and only the 13th MLS player to have lifted the World Cup Trophy. Only 21, he has already been tapped to break the MLS transfer record set by Miguel Almiron in 2019.
But before the big sharks in Europe snap Almada up, he has one thing on his mind: keeping the party going at Atlanta United, “realness” be damned.
Almada’s first goal came in the third minute of stoppage time. A trick corner worked its way out to him just outside the box, and he chipped the ball with his right foot, sending it crashing off the crossbar and into the net.