A season of hard work that started in early March culminated in front of the biggest crowd in Major League Soccer history, as over 73,000 fans packed out the ever-impressive Mercedes-Benz Stadium to watch Atlanta United take on the Portland Timbers in the 2018 MLS Cup.
This was a matchup between two sides with some of the most vocal and passionate fanbases in the league; amongst the record crowd, celebrity fans Big Boi and Waka Flocka also took their seats to cheer on their hometown. With foghorns blaring and the crowd roaring, creating a cacophony within the enclosed Mercedes-Benz stadium, it was the only place to be for the next instalment in our ‘Framed’ series.
Although the game was being hosted in Atlanta, Portland came into the game with an impressive away record, having advanced at every stage thanks to some gritty performances at opposition grounds. Atlanta on the other hand boasted one of the strongest attacks of the season, scoring three goals in each of their last two home games. With everything at stake, it was a mouth-watering encounter.
With the pressure came a cagey start to the match, the first shot on goal not arriving until the 23rd minute – another MLS Cup record. But the game exploded into life towards the end of the first half, Atlanta exploiting some uncharacteristically slack defending from Portland to steal the lead. This sparked Portland into life, but the Five Stripes were able to capitalise on their attempts to equalise early in the second half, snatching another goal from a set piece for a 2-0 lead, sending the stadium into raptures. And that's how it remained, Atlanta winning their first MLS Cup in only their second year.
Photography by Matthew Stith and @godspeedgoodsir for SoccerBible.
