Atlanta United draws fourth-largest crowd in world soccer last week

*** POSSIBLE VISUAL LEAD *** March 11, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta United player Franco Escobar (right) and midfielder Jeff Larentowiz react as teammate Hector Villalba scores a goal against D.C. United for a 3-0 lead in the home opener during the second half in a MLS soccer match on Sunday, March 11, 2018, in Atlanta. Atlanta United won the game 3-1. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

March 11, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron and forward Josef Martinez celebrate AlmironÃ¢â¬â¢s goal against D.C. United for a 2-0 lead during the second half in a MLS soccer match on Sunday, March 11, 2018, in Atlanta. Martinez scored the first goal of the game on the way to a 3-1 victory in the home opener. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

March 11, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta United midfielder Julian Gressel battles D.C. United Oniel Fisher as he takes a shot on goal in a MLS soccer game on Sunday, March 11, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

March 11, 2018. DC United goal keeper grabs the ball on a corner kick rejecting a opportunity to Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez on March 11, 2018 in Atlanta Ga.

March 11, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan gets to the ball before D.C. United player Steven Birnbaum to save a shot on goal during the second half in a MLS soccer match on Sunday, March 11, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

March 11, 2018. Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez fits for the ball on the box but DC United goalkeeper David Ousted managed rejecting the ball on March 11, 2018 in Atlanta Ga..

March 11, 2018. Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron takes a shoot during the second half at Mercedes-Benz stadium, Almiron was name best player of the match on March 11, 2018 in Atlanta Ga..

March 11, 2018. Former Atlanta United forward Yamil Asad disputes a ball against Atlanta United defender Franco Escobar on March 11, 2018 in Atlanta Ga..

March 11, 2018. Atlanta United goal keeper Brad Guzan rejects the ball during a play in the second half on March 11, 2018 in Atlanta Ga.

March 11, 2018. With 72,035 fans supporting the Atlanta United the Mercedes-Benz got another sell out on March 11, 2018 in Atlanta Ga..

March 11, 2018. Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez #7 pics up the ball inside the goal after scoring the first goal of the team on March 11, 2018 in Atlanta Ga..

March 11, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan celebrates a 3-1 victory over D.C. United during the home opener in a MLS soccer match on Sunday, March 11, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

March 11, 2018. Hector 'Tito' Villalba reacts with his team mates after scoring the third goal of the team, Atlanta United beat the DC United 3 to 1 on March 11, 2018 in Atlanta Ga, at Mercedes-Benz stadium.

March 11, 2018.

on March 11, 2018 in Atlanta Ga..

March 11, 2018. Atlanta United defender Leandro Gonzalez reacts towards the fans after his team mate Josef Martinez scored the first goal during the first half against the DC United on March 11, 2018 in Atlanta Ga..

March 11, 2018. Atlanta. United forward Josef Martinez #7 watches the ball cross the line after he scored the first goal for the home team during the first home team the MLS on March 11, 2018 in Atlanta Ga..

March 11, 2018 Atlanta: Who says Atlanta is a bad sports town as Atlanta United fans fill the stadium and cheer their team in the home opener against D.C. United in a MLS soccer game on Sunday, March 11, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

March 11, 2018. A founding member Tim Tewell from East Cobb shows his support to the Atlanta United holding a 'Tata' Martino banner from the 100 concourse ins of the Mercedes-Benz stadium on March 11, 2018 in Atlanta Ga.

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*** POSSIBLE VISUAL LEAD *** March 11, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta United player Franco Escobar (right) and midfielder Jeff Larentowiz react as teammate Hector Villalba scores a goal against D.C. United for a 3-0 lead in the home opener during the second half in a MLS soccer match on Sunday, March 11, 2018, in Atlanta. Atlanta United won the game 3-1. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

By Doug Roberson

March 12, 2018

Atlanta United’s 72,035 tickets sold and distributed for Sunday’s 3-1 win against D.C. United was not just the biggest crowd in MLS history, it was the fourth largest in world soccer for last week’s games.

The only three games that outdrew the Five Stripes where at Old Trafford, where 74,855 tickets were sold for Manchester United 2-1 win against Liverpool, at the Allianz Arena in Munich where 75,000 tickets were sold for Bayern Munich 6-0 win against Hamburg, and at Signal Iduna Park where Borussia Dortmund defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2 in front of 81,360.

Atlanta United has the top three most-attended games in MLS history. Those marks have been set in just nine games played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The franchise was going to open Mercedes-Benz Stadium to full capacity for just four games this season. However, it tweeted on Monday that because of demand it is going to “go big” for the game against Chicago on Oct. 21. That will bring the total to five games, with four remaining on June 30 vs. Orlando, July 15 vs. Seattle, Sept. 22 vs. Real Salt Lake and the Chicago game.

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