The best fans in the world got their props.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium won Newsweek's Loudest MLS Home Pitch award. 17s are known for being rowdy and proud, and they're being recognized for it nationally. The award, chosen by fans, was open for voting for nearly a month. The numbers didn't lie, as Atlanta United's home pitch was ranked No. 1 among all MLS clubs.
The nominees list included 14 other stadiums: Audi Field (D.C. United), Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte FC), BMO Stadium (LAFC), Children's Mercy Park (Sporting Kansas City), Dignity Health Sports Park (LA Galaxy), Energizer Park (St. Louis City FC), Geodis Park (Nashville SC), Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando City SC), Lower.com Field (Columbus Crew), Lumen Field (Seattle Sounders), Providence Park (Portland Timbers), Q2 Stadium (Austin FC), Shell Energy Stadium (Houston Dynamo) and Subaru Park (Philadelphia Union).
Mercedes-Benz Stadium had the easiest case to make: Atlanta United leads MLS in average attendance per game this season by over 10,000 people, according to Transfermarkt. You can hear that difference when you step into the confines of the 5-Stripes' home ground. Head coach Ronny Deila was blown away by the support in his managerial debut, as his team defeated CF Montréal in the season opener 3-2. The attendance on the night was announced at 65,520, and it was the third-largest crowd in world football the day of Feb. 22.