Photos: Atlanta United's tour of Mercedes-Benz Stadium

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Photos: Atlanta United's tour of Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Members of the media were given a tour of the Atlanta United areas of the under construction at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The city's MLS franchise will open play in 2017.

Members of the media were given a tour of the Atlanta United areas of the under construction at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The city's MLS franchise will open play in 2017.

Technical director Carlos Bocanegra was asked if Mercedes-Benz Stadium will rival the world’s soccer cathedrals, like Old Trafford, Anfield and Camp Nou. Bocanegra said owner Arthur Blank, the architects, engineers and construction companies have done everything to make the stadium Atlanta United’s, from the parking, the entries, the retractable seats, the drop-down curtains. “It will be the best stadium in the world until something else is built,” he said. Bocanegra was able to test the synthetic turf playing surface that will be installed. He said he has played on turn at Portland and Seattle, but this will be better. He said the fibers are sewn in different directions, which provides multi-directional give, which feels more natural and provides truer rolls.

The supporters end. This end of the stadium, which will be closest to the large clear wall that will enable views of the Atlanta skyline, is partially finished. The lower bowl hasn’t been completed because of the cranes. The red crane is one of only two in the world.

The coaches offices. The coaches’ offices will be located near the doorway the players will walk through as they head to the field. The next doorway will be the tunnel that they will walk through to get to the field. Technical director Carlos Bocanegra, who led the tour, said Atlanta United hopes to start a tradition of the opponent’s coaches and technical directors enjoy a post-game beverage with their Atlanta United counterparts in the office.

The player’s locker room. Lockers will be along the perimeter with a table in the middle that the players can use. There will be LED lighting installed that is dimmable and can change colors to affect the players’ circadian rhythms. The room will feature a movable wall down the middle. There will also be a drop down monitor from an adjacent wall, as well as TVs.

A turf room. This room will have turf installed. It is an area that the players can use to stretch or work with a ball before they take the field.

The dining area and lounge. This area will feature food and a lounge area for the players and their families. The tables will be circular and arranged so that the players can talk to each other. Bocanegra said that with one long table a player on one end can’t talk to a player on the other end.

Technology area. This area will feature different types of technology that will provide Atlanta United’s players scouting reports on the opponents. (More on that coming in Sunday’s AJC).

A turf room. This room will have turf installed. It is an area that the players can use to stretch or work with a ball before they take the field.

The tubs and training room. There will be a tub in the middle of the training room, with trainer’s tables lined up against a wall along the right side.

The tubs and training room. There will be a tub in the middle of the training room, with trainer’s tables lined up against a wall along the right side.

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Members of the media were given a tour of the Atlanta United areas of the under construction at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The city's MLS franchise will open play in 2017.

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