Atlanta United FC was founded in 2014 when Major League Soccer awarded the expansion franchise to businessman Arthur Blank, who also owns the NFL's Atlanta Falcons. The club was officially announced as MLS's 22nd team on April 16, 2014, with plans to begin play in the 2017 season.
The team played their inaugural MLS season in 2017, making an immediate impact by setting multiple attendance records at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta United's rapid rise culminated in winning the MLS Cup championship in just their second season in 2018, becoming one of the most successful expansion teams in MLS history.