Atlanta United FC was founded on April 16, 2014, when Major League Soccer officially announced the expansion franchise. The team was owned by Arthur Blank, who also owns the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, and represented MLS's 22nd franchise at the time of announcement.
Atlanta United began play in the 2017 MLS season after a three-year preparation period. The club quickly became one of the most successful expansion teams in MLS history, winning the MLS Cup in just their second season (2018) and consistently drawing some of the largest crowds in league history at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.