With Lionel Messi comes media. Lots of media.
Atlanta United has received 400 credential requests for Saturday’s MLS match against Miami and Messi at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The game is scheduled to start at 5 p.m.
The team typically receives 150 credential requests for most matches. The increase for Saturday is split among broadcast, photographers and written media.
The stadium will be open to full capacity, more than 70,000, for Saturday’s match.
The team is adding security personnel to try to deal with the increased number of people at the match. The team declined to say how many more people will be hired. Most Messi matches feature at least one person trying to get on the field to meet the Argentinian superstar.
Atlanta United (11-8-9) is in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. Miami (8-14-4) is in 14th, but has yet to lose when Messi plays.
Messi currently is with Argentina for its 2026 World Cup qualifying matches. Argentina, with a goal from Messi, defeated Ecuador 1-0 in its first match. Argentina, the defending World Cup champs, are playing at Bolivia in La Paz on Tuesday. Messi isn’t expected to play, which may increase the probability of him playing Saturday against Atlanta United. Messi has said he wants to help Miami win the league. It trails D.C. United by six points for the ninth and final playoff spot. Miami has eight matches remaining. D.C. United has six.
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Atlanta United’s 2023 MLS schedule
Feb. 25 Atlanta United 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1
March 4 Atlanta United 1, Toronto FC 1
March 11 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte FC 0
March 18 Atlanta United 5, Portland 1
March 25 Columbus 6, Atlanta United 1
April 1 Atlanta United 1, New York Red Bulls 0
April 8 Atlanta United 1, New York City FC 1
April 15 Atlanta United 2, Toronto FC 2
April 23 Atlanta United 2, Chicago 1
April 29 Nashville SC 3, Atlanta United 1
May 6 Inter Miami CF 2, Atlanta United 1
May 13 Charlotte 3, Atlanta United 1
May 17 Atlanta United 4, Colorado 0
May 20 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 3
May 27 Atlanta United 1, Orlando 1
May 31 Atlanta United 3, New England 3
June 7 Atlanta United 0, LAFC 0
June 10 Atlanta United 3, D.C. United 1
June 21 Atlanta United 2, New York City 2
June 24 New York Red Bulls 4, Atlanta United 0
July 2 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 0
July 8 Atlanta United 1, Montreal 0
July 12 New England 2, Atlanta United 1
July 15 Orlando City 2, Atlanta United 1
July 25 Miami 4, Atlanta United 0 in Leagues Cup
July 29 Cruz Azul 1 (5), Atlanta United (4) 1 in Leagues Cup
Aug. 20 Atlanta United 2, Seattle 0
Aug. 26 Atlanta United 4, Nashville 0
Aug. 30 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1
Sept. 2 Atlanta United 2, FC Dallas 2
Sept. 16 vs. Inter Miami CF, 5 p.m.
Sept. 20 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 23 vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 7 vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 21 at FC Cincinnati, TBA
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