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Darren Eales has been the architect of this entire thing. Yes, Arthur Blank bankrolled Atlanta United and handed them a $1.6 Billion+ palace to play in, but Eales is the one who turned the dream into a reality. It’s time the fans pay him back with a present. How can you do that? It’s simple.
The club made the conscious decision to limit the majority of home matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to soccer capacity (~42,500). Only two matches will be opened up to full regular NFL-sized capacity (~70,000). Eales told the AJC’s Doug Roberson that he hopes to see every seat filled on the first full capacity date against Orlando City on September 16.
“We have the ability to go to 70,000 and we are hoping to be able to do that with our amazing fan base on the 16th of [September].” — Darren Eales; Source: AJC
That match featured the fledgling rivalry between Atlanta and Orlando. The first two matches saw the Five Stripes score dramatic goals in both to break Lion hearts. What better way to show Eales, Blank and the entire organization that we appreciate everything they’ve done in building this team than to sell out that match and create the most insane environment MLS has ever seen?
Do whatever you have to do to make sure it happens. Call all of your friends. Call their friends. Send your distant relatives messages on facebook. Do whatever you have to do to make sure 70,000 people show up to that match and blow the roof off.