Looking Back at Atlanta United at Bobby Dodd Stadium
October 26, 2017
Setting the Stage for Soccer History
On Sunday, March 5, a slew of red-clad fans flooded Bobby Dodd Stadium for a different kind of football event.
Atlanta's newest professional sports team, Atlanta United, took the pitch to begin its inaugural season at Grant Field. With Mercedes-Benz Stadium still under construction, Bobby Dodd became the perfect place to make history.
From then until July 29, the team played nine matches, including one on July 4, with a 6-2-1 home record to start its history-making season. When United's run at Bobby Dodd was coming to an end, some teammates were already nostalgic.
“All the players enjoy playing [at Bobby Dodd]. The field is perfect. The fans are great,” said midfielder Jeff Larentowicz in a July 2 Atlanta Journal-Constitution story. “It’s going to be tough to leave, to be honest.”
Atlanta United played its first home match in Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sept. 10. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan was optimistic about the rest of the season before the move to the new stadium. United ultimately made a run and ended with a 10-7-5 record after 22 matches.
“Now moving to Mercedes-Benz [Stadium], it’s going to be fantastic,” said Guzan in a July 31 farewell to Bobby Dodd. "We’re really excited. We’re excited to say thank you to Bobby Dodd and everyone affiliated with this stadium, but at the same time, we’re excited to get into Mercedes-Benz [Stadium] and put our stamp on that stadium as well.”
The Bobby Dodd atmosphere set a high bar.