It's official - Atlanta will get the next MLS Team

Atlanta United

MLS commissioner Don Garber announced that Atlanta will be home to the 22nd MLS team on April 16, 2014.

The owner of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons Arthur Blank (right) and Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber speak to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporters in downtown Atlanta on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber today announced that Atlanta has been awarded an expansion team that will begin play in 2017. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber speaks to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporters in downtown Atlanta on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber today announced that Atlanta has been awarded an expansion team that will begin play in 2017. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

The owner of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons Arthur Blank speaks to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporters in downtown Atlanta on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber today announced that Atlanta has been awarded an expansion team that will begin play in 2017. The new team will be owned by Blank and will play at the new world-class stadium soon to be built in downtown Atlanta. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

The owner of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, Arthur Blank, and Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber speak to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporters in downtown Atlanta on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber today announced that Atlanta has been awarded an expansion team that will begin play in 2017. The new team will be owned by Blank and will play at the new world-class stadium soon to be built in downtown Atlanta. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Soccer fans cheer before the official announcement event begins in downtown Atlanta on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. MLS commissioner Don Garber, Falcons owner Arthur Blank, Mayor Kasim Reed, executive director of GWCC Frank Poe and others officially announced that Atlanta will be the 22nd team in MLS on Wednesday downtown amidst a parade-like atmosphere. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

MLS commissioner Don Garber , Falcons owner Arthur Blank enter as soccer fans cheer before the official announcement event begins in downtown Atlanta on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. MLS commissioner Don Garber, Falcons owner Arthur Blank, Mayor Kasim Reed, executive director of GWCC Frank Poe and others officially announced that Atlanta will be the 22nd team in MLS on Wednesday downtown amidst a parade-like atmosphere. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

MLS commissioner Don Garber presents a soccer scarf to Falcons owner Arthur Blank during the official announcement event in downtown Atlanta on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. MLS commissioner Don Garber, Falcons owner Arthur Blank, Mayor Kasim Reed, executive director of GWCC Frank Poe and others officially announced that Atlanta will be the 22nd team in MLS on Wednesday downtown amidst a parade-like atmosphere. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Falcons owner Arthur Blank sits next to a soccer ball during the official announcement event in downtown Atlanta on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. MLS commissioner Don Garber, Falcons owner Arthur Blank, Mayor Kasim Reed, executive director of GWCC Frank Poe and others officially announced that Atlanta will be the 22nd team in MLS on Wednesday downtown amidst a parade-like atmosphere. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed gets a hug from Falcons owner Arthur Blank after Reed made a speech during the official announcement event in downtown Atlanta on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. MLS commissioner Don Garber, Falcons owner Arthur Blank, Mayor Kasim Reed, executive director of GWCC Frank Poe and others officially announced that Atlanta will be the 22nd team in MLS on Wednesday downtown amidst a parade-like atmosphere. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Falcons owner Arthur Blank, MLS commissioner Don Garber and executive director of GWCC Frank Poe watch congratulatory message from soccer star David Beckham during the official announcement event in downtown Atlanta on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed, MLS commissioner Don Garber, Falcons owner Arthur Blank and executive director of GWCC Frank Poe pose for a group photograph after the official announcement event in downtown Atlanta on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. MLS commissioner Don Garber, Falcons owner Arthur Blank, mayor Kasim Reed, executive director of GWCC Frank Poe and others officially announced that Atlanta will be the 22nd team in MLS on Wednesday downtown amidst a parade-like atmosphere. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed speaks as Falcons owner Arthur Blank and executive director of GWCC Frank Poe talk during the official announcement event in downtown Atlanta on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. MLS commissioner Don Garber, Blank, Reed, Poe and others officially announced that Atlanta will be the 22nd team in MLS on Wednesday downtown amidst a parade-like atmosphere. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed, MLS commissioner Don Garber, Falcons owner Arthur Blank and executive director of GWCC Frank Poe take questions from the audience during the official announcement event in downtown Atlanta on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Falcons owner Arthur Blank answers as Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed, MLS commissioner Don Garber and GWCC executive director Frank Poe listen during the official announcement event in downtown Atlanta on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

1/16

The owner of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons Arthur Blank (right) and Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber speak to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporters in downtown Atlanta on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber today announced that Atlanta has been awarded an expansion team that will begin play in 2017. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Today's Gallery Headlines

PHOTOS: Georgia Tech battles BYU in Pop-Tarts Bowl

PHOTOS: 2025 AJC Photos of the Year

PHOTOS: Coca-Cola ads over time

PHOTOS: Philanthropists leave mark on Atlanta

More Galleries

Alerts

PHOTOS: Georgia Tech battles BYU in Pop-Tarts Bowl

PHOTOS: 2025 AJC Photos of the Year

PHOTOS: Coca-Cola ads over time

PHOTOS: Philanthropists leave mark on Atlanta

Photos: Atlanta United takes the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium