
<p>New Inter Miami head coach <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/tata-martino-joins-forces-with-lionel-messi-at-inter-miami-20230628-WST-439889.html">Tata Martino</a>, brings the experience of managing Atlanta United to south Florida. Formerly of Barcelona, Argentina, Mexico, and more, Martino has found success in various leagues and roles. Some of that success is a result of managing elite players. He will have the opportunity to do so again at Miami as he <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/tata-martino-joins-forces-with-lionel-messi-at-inter-miami-20230628-WST-439889.html">reunites with Lionel Messi</a>. The Argentine legend joins in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/messi-picks-inter-miami-in-new-milestone-for-us-soccer-20230607-WST-436495.html">a major milestone for both the league</a> and the sport of soccer as a whole.</p>



<p>Martino has experience in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">Major League Soccer</a>. He led Atlanta United for two years after leaving the Argentine national team. Before departing, he led the Atlanta squad to the MLS Cup in 2018, the franchise’s second season in the league.</p>



<h2>Tata Martino compares Inter Miami job to Atlanta stint</h2>



<p>Tata Martino featured in a news conference on Thursday. There, he revealed his plans to coach Inter Miami in a similar way to Atlanta.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="MESSI MANIA at Inter MIAMI: Futbol Miami TV interview #mls" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OA64FsMbnk8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<p>“Taking over a team mid-season, it’s something that has only happened to me a few times in my life, but as I said before, we will need time to be able to have the whole team. And in terms of the style of play, I aspire that this team plays similarly to Atlanta, but adapted to the players that we will have here.”</p>



<h5>Chris Henderson reveals when Lionel Messi would make his debut</h5>



<p>Lionel Messi is still hoping to make his Inter Miami debut on July 21. Still, the club remained coy about making that date official on Thursday.</p>



<p>Chris Henderson, the team’s director of sports, revealed that Messi and his new coach, Gerardo Martino, had yet to complete their paperwork. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is anticipated to join the squad in early July, and an introductory ceremony is scheduled for July 16.</p>



<p>“With regard to Leo, the terms are agreed but we are working on the paperwork with Major League Soccer so those are going to take time to finish. But we hope that there is a time in mid-late July that he’s ready to go, but that’s just going to be up to how he finishes all the paperwork”, Henderson said.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO &amp; Icon Sportswire</em></p>


Tata Martino said in a press conference that he intends for Inter Miami and new star Lionel Messi to adopt a style similar to Atlanta United.

Tata Martino wants Lionel Messi's Miami to play like Atlanta


<p>Former United States men’s national team star Carlos Bocanegra has reportedly removed himself from consideration for the Rangers FC job. The Scottish outfit was interested in hiring Bocanegra as its next director of football. Nevertheless, it seems as if the former defender will remain with Atlanta United as Technical Director and Vice President for now.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.footballinsider247.com/revealed-carlos-bocanegra-withdraws-from-rangers-race-after-interview-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Football Insider</a></em> claims that Bocanegra recently interviewed for the potential position with Rangers. However, the former Rangers player has now declined the opportunity with the team. The defender previously played for the Scottish giants from 2011 to 2013. </p>



<h2>Bocanegra previously spent two seasons with Rangers</h2>



<p>Rangers finished second in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/scottish-premiership-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scottish Premiership</a> during Bocanegra’s only full season with the team. Nevertheless, the club was liquidated following the campaign and Bocanegra soon departed. Rangers had to essentially start from scratch in 2012 following the financial crisis.</p>



<p>The Scottish club has been on the search for a new sporting director since Ross Wilson departed in April. Wilson left Rangers to join <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Premier League</a> side Nottingham Forest. His official title with the East Midlands club is chief football officer. Nevertheless, Rangers will have to move on to different targets.</p>



<h5>Former USMNT star key part of Atlanta’s success</h5>



<p>Atlanta first hired Bocanegra in early 2015, soon after his playing career ended with former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Major League Soccer</a> outfit Chivas USA. Oddly enough, Chivas also endured financial difficulties in Bocanegra’s final season with the team. The club folded following the completion of the 2014 campaign.</p>



<p>The former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/usmnt-tv-schedule/">USMNT</a> defender worked a key role at Atlanta United since arriving. The club only officially joined MLS in 2017, but the Five Stripes collected the MLS Cup title in just their second season in the top flight. Atlanta won the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/us-open-cup-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Open Cup</a> and the Campeones Cup in 2019 as well. The MLS title was the city of Atlanta’s first major sports championship since 1995.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Icon Sportswire</em></p>


Atlanta United technical director Carlos Bocanegra has reportedly removed himself as a candidate for a similar position with Rangers.

Bocanegra not leaving Atlanta for Rangers, says report - World Soccer Talk

Bocanegra not leaving Atlanta for Rangers, says report


<p>Fresh off making its playoff debut last season, Inter Miami acquired star forward Josef Martínez. </p>



<p>Martínez is a former <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">MLS</a> MVP and MLS Cup Champion with Atlanta United. However, Atlanta exercised an <a href="https:\/\/www.atlutd.com/news/atlanta-united-exercises-offseason-buyout-on-josef-martinez" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">offseason buyout of Josef Martínez</a> following a fallout with the club despite a massive fan base. </p>



<p>Now, the Venezuelan joins an Inter Miami side hoping to build on the success of last season. Miami lost its top scorer in both 2021 and 2022, Gonzalo Higuain. The Argentine retired after the 2022 campaign following a massively successful career in South America, Europe then North America. Martínez is a natural replacement for Higuain’s vacancy at the top of the formation.</p>



<p>Martínez is one of MLS’s best players over the last handful of years. Martínez arrived at Atlanta United during the club’s debut season in 2016-17. In that time, the only season Martínez did <strong>not </strong>finish as top scorer was in 2020. That was a shortened season when Martínez tore his ACL in the season opener. Still, his 103 goals in 144 MLS appearances is remarkable. </p>



<p>Martínez’s best moments with Atlanta go beyond just goals, though. He won the MLS Cup in 2018. That season, he won MLS MVP, picking up playoff MVP and MLS Cup Final MVP along the way. Then, in the next season, Atlanta United won the Campeones Cup and the US Open Cup. Martínez scored the winner in the Campeones Cup.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">An icon. A legend. Forever a 5-Stripe.<br><br>You loved Atlanta and Atlanta loved you right back. Thank you for all the memories, Josef ❤️🖤 <a href="https:\/\/t.co/70rYoqcKkt">pic.twitter.com/70rYoqcKkt</a></p>— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/ATLUTD/status/1615719551563358210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2>Inter Miami makes move for proven winner Josef Martínez</h2>



<p>Inter Miami will hope Josef Martínez can be just close to as successful as he was with Atlanta. Also, the club hopes he can avoid some of the fireworks that led to his downfall with Atlanta. The injury in 2020 removed much of the explosiveness and flair Martínez exemplified. </p>



<p>Plus, Atlanta suspended Martínez for a week after a bust-up with head coach Gonzalo Pineda. He eventually returned, but Atlanta missed the playoffs.</p>



<p>He helped build the Atlanta United fandom with his success propelling the team. Inter Miami hopes Josef Martínez can have a similar impact on its side.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Icon Sportswire</em></p>


Inter Miami signed Josef Martínez after Atlanta United released the Venezuelan. It is a major change for one of MLS's most clinical forwards.

Inter Miami signs Atlanta United star Josef Martínez - World Soccer Talk

With some normalcy returning, here are all the biggest soccer crowds in the US in 2021 in both club and country competitions.

Breaking down the biggest soccer crowds in the US in 2021 - World Soccer Talk

Breaking down the biggest soccer crowds in the US in 2021

<div><figure class="image"></figure></div>
<p>Charlotte FC’s confidence is admirable considering the club makes its debut in MLS on Feb. 26 in Washington, D.C.</p>
<p>The club represents the newest in a line of expansion teams in the league. Dating back to 2004, MLS had just 10 teams. Charlotte FC and St. Louis SC, debuting in 2023, are the 28th and 29th teams joining the league.</p>
<p>In more recent years, MLS expansion teams produced a mixed bag of results. For some, success came plentifully and quickly. For example, Atlanta United won MLS Cup in its second season after expansion. Nashville SC, debuting in 2020, reached MLS Cup playoffs in both years since starting.</p>
<p>Contrarily, FC Cincinnati finished last in its three seasons of MLS play.</p>
<p>For a new club, success extends off the field as well. Development of youth, brand exposure, stadium attendance at home games and overall gelling are important factors for new teams.</p>
<p>At least, that is the case for Nick Kelly. Kelly, the President of Charlotte FC, understands the struggles a new club goes through in its first couple of seasons. Even then, he embodies Charlotte FC’s confidence entering its first season.</p>
<p>Sure, he has some realistic expectations. For example, is a playoffs appearance a possibility? Certainly. Four out of the last seven expansion teams reached the MLS Playoffs in their first seasons. That is, of course, if you count Inter Miami reaching the play-in round in 2020, where it lost to Nashville, another expansion side.</p>
<p>However, certain things have to go right for the club on and off the pitch for playoffs in year one to be a reality.</p>
<h3>Charlotte FC’s confidence in growing the club</h3>
<p>Priority No. 1 for Charlotte FC must be to grow the club. There are a number of ways to do this, including inside the club and around the community.</p>
<h5>Building a fan base</h5>
<p>There is a wide open market for an MLS franchise in the Carolinas. Therefore, it should be straightforward to get a decent number of fans at each game.</p>
<p>Nick Kelly does not want to get a ‘decent’ number of fans. Rather, he wants to exceed the average stadium attendance.</p>
<p>Charlotte FC uses Bank of America Stadium. Traditionally, the stadium in the middle of downtown Charlotte houses the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. MLS clubs sees mixed results in terms of NFL stadium success.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2017/03/20/atlanta-united-average-attendance-surpass-seattle-sounders-2017-mls-season/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">READ MORE:</a>&nbsp;</strong>Atlanta’s expected attendance entering the 2017 season.</em></p>
<p>Atlanta plays in the lavish Mercedes Benz Stadium, pulling in <a href="https:\/\/www.statista.com/statistics/509326/mls-average-attendance-by-team-north-america/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">crowds over 50,000</a> throughout the club’s brief history. The capacity of Atlanta’s stadium reaches 71,000, with limited numbers in recent seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>
<p>Of course, Atlanta and Charlotte FC are not the only clubs to use NFL stadiums. Nashville, Chicago Fire, Seattle Sounders, New England Revolution and NYCFC share a stadium with another sports team in that city. Mixed results persist. Chicago and NYCFC rank towards the bottom in attendance. Meanwhile, Atlanta, Seattle and Nashville pulled in the largest, second-largest and seventh-largest crowds on <a href="https:\/\/soccerstadiumdigest.com/2021-mls-attendance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">average in 2021</a>. Historically, New England Revolution averaged smaller crowds. Yet, the club’s massive success in 2021 perhaps boosted those numbers.</p>
<p>People in the Carolinas did not have a soccer team to support earlier. Now, they have one they can call their own. Nick Kelly maintains that Charlotte FC will also permeate at the top of those attendance rankings. Additionally, that starts with a home opener against Los Angeles Galaxy on Mar. 5.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“This is now your soccer club, the one that represents you and the Carolinas. That makes us feel more and more confident that we will easily sell out and be above 74,000 people for that first game,”&nbsp;</em>Kelly told World Soccer Talk.</p></blockquote>
<div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-358738 size-full" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20211125_WST_358662_BoA-Stadium.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=764" alt="Bank of America Stadium" width="1024" height="764" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/BoA-Stadium.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/BoA-Stadium-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/BoA-Stadium-600x448.jpg 600w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/BoA-Stadium-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/BoA-Stadium-768x573.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure></div>
<h5>Bank of America Stadium</h5>
<p>NFL stadiums, despite their size allowing more fans, lack intimacy. Austin FC showed how a club can be part of the community with a smaller stadium to make things more enjoyable from an <a href="https:\/\/www.kxan.com/sports-general/austin-fc/final-whistle-atx-electric-atmosphere-at-q2-stadium-but-goals-dry-up-for-austin-fc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">experience point of view</a>.</p>
<p>Of course, the same atmosphere exists at Atlanta United. Essentially, the club from Georgia nailed everything to build the franchise. Nick Kelly envisions the same style at Bank of America Stadium, aided by the stadium’s location in the heart of Charlotte.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“We’re not outside of the city, we’re literally in the middle of downtown Charlotte. The ability for fans to come after work or to be able to engage with the team for 17 matches a year is a little bit unique.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Kelly added that Charlotte FC’s confidence in the NFL stadium prevents the club from seeking a soccer-specific stadium. He expects an average attendance around 35,000. This would be second to only Atlanta United. A soccer-specific stadium around there or 40,000 would rival some NFL stadiums.</p>
<p>That being said, the club plans to make Bank of America Stadium more soccer-friendly, if not soccer-specific. <a href="https:\/\/theathletic.com/2902500/2021/10/20/qa-charlotte-fc-president-nick-kelly-on-the-business-of-mls/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kelly told The Athletic</a> that there is about $50 million in investments to help the soccer-side of Bank of America stadiums. New locker rooms, physio facilities and an English-style tunnel leading up to the pitch make it seem different than an average NFL stadium.</p>
<p>He also added that Charlotte FC continues to invest in the club’s academy to consistently produce first-team players.</p>
<h3>On-the-field performances</h3>
<p>The academy of clubs is the foundation for success down the road. Expansion teams face a dilemma of focusing on the academy and winning in the future. In an ideal world, a team would win now and win in the future. That is near impossible, of course. Even then, Charlotte FC can spread out its efforts to build both.</p>
<h5><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-358746 alignright" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20211125_WST_358662_Charlotte-600x600.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=600" alt="" width="600" height="600" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Charlotte-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Charlotte-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Charlotte-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Charlotte-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Charlotte-560x560.jpg 560w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Charlotte.jpg 1178w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></figure></div></h5>
<h5>Charlotte FC Academy</h5>
<p>Charlotte FC’s confidence in the present and future stems from its academy. A massive investment into building a training facility allows the club to build its pedigree among current MLS clubs.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“It’s out responsibility to train and provide infrastructure to allow players to train and reach the next level.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>However, the modern facility also helps with recruiting young foreign professionals. Kelly admits that Charlotte is not the same style of hub as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago or Dallas.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“We have to explain where Charlotte is to a lot of these guys in South America and Europe.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Therefore, if players see the commitment to the academy and facilities, they understand the belief in success goes both ways.</p>
<p>In terms of developing some of these talents, Nick Kelly has the bold goal of producing first-team talent yearly. He aims to have one to two players yearly coming out of the academy, something even the best in Europe work to perfect.</p>
<p>One way to aid that is to show potential fans the ins and outs of training. “Welcome to the Team” is a reality TV show to air featuring an opportunity for potential players to break into the team. In a Survivor-style competition, one player will receive a contract with the club.</p>
<p>The benefits of this are two-fold. First off, it reels in potential fans by showing the scouting process. It builds a more intimate feel for the club that can grow organically. Secondly, it allows Charlotte FC to get a gauge on talent that may go unrealized. Particularly, Kelly targets the college student-athlete market.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“Most of these guys are moving on, but every now and then a few of these guys are overlooked and they become members of the U.S. men’s national team.”</em></p></blockquote>
<h5>Current performances</h5>
<p>Fan bases expect results, it makes audiences come to games or watch on television. Nick Kelly plans on delivering on that front. He has high expectations, even for year one.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“We definitely want to win right now. We want to make sure we are not coming out and giving ourselves a bunch of flexibility by saying we are an expansion team and there are growing pains.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Even if Kelly wants to avoid the growing pains, they still may exist. At that point, much of it is about mitigation.</p>
<p>One way that Charlotte FC can actually&nbsp;<em>use&nbsp;</em>those growing pains is by taking advantage of the fact that no other club knows its tactics.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“There are teams that have been successful in year one because no one has seen you play together. We have to take advantage of that. And, we believe we will have a competitive advantage at Bank of America Stadium.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Another way to build up early morale is by developing rivalries. Kelly sees Atlanta as the easiest way to develop a rivalry. The two cities are only 4.5 hours away from one another, and they share an NFL rivalry. St. Louis, coming into the league in 2023, could also be a rival based solely off timing.</p>
<h3>TV Rights</h3>
<p>Charlotte FC will play its first year under the current MLS TV rights deal. However, the deal expires at the conclusion of 2022.</p>
<p>The rights are a major point of discussion with monetary values hitting record highs across the world.</p>
<p>One of the newest Presidents in MLS, Kelly understands the nature of how important the deal is for MLS. This is especially true with the expectation of 30 teams in the near future.</p>
<p>For more information on Kelly’s comments regarding the next MLS TV deal, check out another <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/11/24/charlotte-fc-president-confident-of-record-breaking-mls-tv-deal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent story from World Soccer Talk</a>.</p>
<p>For now, Charlotte FC will watch MLS playoffs unfold as it readies for its season debut against D.C. United in just three months.</p>
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As the newest club to join MLS, Charlotte FC's confidence is to the brim, with on-field and off-field success expected, says Nick Kelly.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Atlanta United" - Page 2

Inter Miami CF

Tata Martino wants Lionel Messi's Miami to play like Atlanta

Atlanta United FC

Bocanegra not leaving Atlanta for Rangers, says report

Atlanta United FC

Inter Miami signs Atlanta United star Josef Martínez

Attendance

Breaking down the biggest soccer crowds in the US in 2021

Charlotte FC

Charlotte FC's ambitious confidence entering first season in MLS