Atlanta United will host their first home match in next year’s Concacaf Champions League at Fifth Third Bank Stadium, the club confirmed to MLSsoccer.com on Tuesday, and may do the same in later rounds should they advance past Round of 16 foes Motagua.
Originally reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the news marks the second consecutive year in which the Five Stripes will play CCL games at Kennesaw State University’s intimate open-air venue, which is also the home of their USL Championship side, Atlanta United 2.
ATLUTD hosted Costa Rican adversaries CS Herediano there in this year’s edition, overcoming a 3-1 loss in the first leg via a thumping 4-0 victory that ushered them into the quarterfinals.
The first leg in the Atlanta-Motagua series will take place between Feb. 18 and 20 in Honduras, and the second leg is set for Feb. 25-27; clubs are set to announce specific dates in the weeks to come.
According to the AJC report, Atlanta are taking their CCL venue decisions “on a round-by-round basis” and could return to Fifth Third if they reach the quarterfinals, which would take place in the March 10-12 and March 17-19 windows against the winner of the Club América (Mexico) vs. Comunicaciones (Guatemala) series.
ATLUTD have prospered at Fifth Third to date, winning four U.S. Open Cup matches at the 10,500-capacity venue as well as last season’s Herediano comeback. The Five Stripes hosted this year’s CCL quarterfinal match vs. Monterrey at their permanent home, Mercedes-Benz Stadium; the dome is hosting this year’s NCAA basketball Final Four in early April.
