Atlanta United leads world in soccer attendance on Saturday

March 11, 2018 Atlanta: A Atlanta United fan toasts the team as they take on the D.C. United during their home opener in a MLS soccer game on Sunday, March 11, 2018, in Atlanta.    Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

March 11, 2018 Atlanta: A Atlanta United fan toasts the team as they take on the D.C. United during their home opener in a MLS soccer game on Sunday, March 11, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

The announced attendance for Atlanta United's 4-0 win against Orlando City at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was 71,932, making it the most-attended soccer game in the world on a World Cup Saturday.

“For a player like me, who has been around a while, playing in front of 6-8,000 people at Arrowhead, and 10-12,000 at Gillette, this is truly special,” Atlanta United midfielder Jeff Larentowicz said. Larentowicz made his 356th MLS start on Saturday.

The team now has the four highest single-game attendance marks in MLS history:

72,035 vs. D.C. United on March 11, 2018.

71,932 vs. Orlando City on June 30, 2018.

71,874 vs. Toronto on Oct. 22, 2017.

70,425 vs. Orlando City on Sept. 16, 2017.

The franchise set an MLS record last season with an average attendance of 48,200.

It also set a single-game playoff record  (67,221) against Columbus on Oct. 26, 2017.

“I say week in and week out it speaks volume about the fans, speaks volumes about the city to have this turnout week after week after week,” goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. “You don’t take it for granted and you are lucky to be part of it.”