Atlanta United FC

For years, people doubted pro soccer would ever catch on in the South. After the Miami and Tampa Major League Soccer teams folded in 2001, there wasn't an MLS team in the region for a very long time. It took the owner of the Atlanta Falcons ten years to convince MLS to let him have a team. Then it cost over one billion dollars to build a new stadium for football and soccer. When Atlanta United FC began playing, fans thought it was worth it. Today some games attract over 70,000 people. They come to watch a young, fast, and high scoring team. In their very first year, Atlanta reached the playoffs. In their second, they were at the top of their conference. For most fans the question isn't whether Atlanta will win a championship, but when.

Major league soccer (MLS), the sports premier professional league in the U.S., has brought a higher level of play, an increased awareness of the game, and a growing number of fans in the world of soccer. The writers don’t assume that readers have prior knowledge of the sport or the league, so each slim book in Major League Soccer series spotlight one team within a set framework. After presenting a history of the league and the particular city’s professional soccer teams, the text briefly reviews the rules of the game, introduces some notable players, and discuss matters such as the challenges of having team members who are new to North America. Atlanta United FC emphasizes the team’s many young international players, enthusiastic fan base, and many success. Besides discussing the team’s history, Colorado Rapids details the difficulties faced by MLS players from non-English-speaking countries. Orlando City SC includes a section on the new stadium, designed for soccer. The large format offers plenty of space for colorful action photos and digital graphics. Librarians should consider volumes on their community’s home team and perhaps its main rivals.--Booklist, Carolyn Phelan, Booklist, December 1, 2019