USA: 2017 MLS season began over the weekend, Atlanta United draw 55,297 to their inaugural match

Portland Timbers - Minnesota United FC (5-1), on Friday, 03/03/2017, opened the 2017 regular season of MLS (Major League Soccer), which will end seven and a half months later, on 22/10/2017 - after which date, the MLS Playoffs will begin. The Seattle Sounders FC are the defending MLS Cup champions (FC Dallas won the Supporters Shield for best regular season record in 2016). The North American professional football league, which was founded in December 1993 (first season: 1996), welcomes two new franchises this season: Atlanta United FC and Minnesota United FC, bringing the total number of franchises to 22 for the 2017 season (19 American franchises, plus three Canadian ones).

The pay-TV group Eurosport acquired the exclusive TV rights to MLS in Europe (except the UK) for the 2015-2018 period, or four seasons, on 05/03/2015. The pay-TV group Sky Sports broadcasts the league in the United Kingdom.

The 10 games of the opening weekend of the 2017 MLS season drew an average attendance of 22,936 spectators per game, with Atlanta United notably drawing 55,297 fans to Bobby Dodd Stadium…