Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

On the Pitch: Atlanta United Embraces Crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as First MLS Club To Return to Full Capacity

09/06/2021

On the Pitch: Atlanta United Embraces Crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as First MLS Club To Return to Full Capacity More than 40,000 fans saw club's 94th-minute winner vs. CF Montreal By Kristian Hernandez, Associate Editor

Wednesday, June 9, 2021 - 10:31 am

Print This Story | Subscribe

Story Highlights

The past 10 months have been a whirlwind for Major League Soccer. After last summer's MLS Is Back Tournament in the Orlando bubble and the eventual return to empty home stadiums, the attendance of some clubs in the league are returning to pre-pandemic levels. Much like At the Ballpark, On the Gridiron, On the Hardwood, and At the Rink, SVG's On the Pitch takes you into the control room with in-venue crews to understand what their job is like before, during, and after the official's whistle is blown.

Years from now, when we look back at the return of sports from the COVID-19 pandemic, we'll look at two specific games on the 2021 calendar: the first packed house in the history of Globe Life Field for Texas Rangers Opening Day on April 5 and Atlanta United's 1-0 victory in the 94th minute in front of a full-capacity crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium May 15. The latter game had an electricity that had been missing from sports, and the production staff of AMB Sports + Entertainment was prepared to capture it all.

From the moment I parked and entered the stadium, I could feel the passion and excitement in the air, says Julia Chongarlides, director and executive producer, game presentation/stadium productions, AMB Sports + Entertainment. Last year, we were a limited-capacity crew, so this was the first time our full-time game-day staff were able to get back together again in the same room.

MORE ON THE PITCH INTERVIEWS:

Real Salt Lake Shares Rio Tinto Stadium With Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Sporting KC Focuses on Firing Up Limited-Capacity Crowd at Children's Mercy Park

Vancouver Whitecaps Call Rio Tinto Stadium Home With Assist From Real Salt Lake In-Game Crew

Party at Full Strength: Game-Day Traditions Are Renewed Atlanta United became the first MLS club with a full-capacity crowd. (Photo: Mitchell Martin/Atlanta United)

Welcoming fans back meant the resumption of some of the club's traditions that go back to its founding in 2014. Supporters greeted the players as they arrived at the venue, and the production staff recorded the diehards' pregame march as they headed to the stadium en masse.

We covered our supporter march with the chanting and the playing of drums, says Chongarlides. Seeing all of our rituals come together was a great moment because we haven't had those in over a year.

Official attendance of this match vs. CF Montreal was slightly over 40,000 - the largest for an MLS match since the 69,301 at the club's contest against FC Cincinnati on March 7, 2020. Those who made the trek to witness this historic moment were not disappointed. After both squads exhausted all 90 minutes of regular time, the game entered the final four minutes of stoppage time. With a quick service into the box, midfielder Marcelino Moreno levitated and smashed the game-winning goal home with a handful of seconds to spare. As the ball tickled the twine, the freight train's horn sounded, and a sea of supporters erupted in utter chaos and jubilation.

Everyone's adrenaline was pumping throughout the entire match, says Chongarlides, but, when he scored that goal, we could hear everyone celebrating in our headsets. It was a storybook ending to a day we've been waiting for.

Short- and Long-Term Changes: How Shows Have Improved, Increased Capability The team welcomed supporters back with videoboard prompts. (Photo: Mitchell Martin/Atlanta United)

Prior to May 15, the in-venue atmosphere was drastically different for the first two home matches against Chicago Fire FC on April 24 and Philadelphia Union on April 27. As with other games played before a limited crowd, the show was scaled down a bit and didn't feature many of the usual elements.

We stripped out a lot of content during our show, notes Chongarlides. We didn't have sponsorship elements, fan interviews, or chances for people to win seat upgrades. We were forced to think outside the box, so our creative team re-imagined the striking of the Golden Spike. We thought of a way of pre-recording it with a video of the fans in the background on a big LED screen.

With increased attendance permitted, Chongarlides also welcomed back her full team, whom she hadn't seen since the 2020 regular season. In response to the boost in support, the crew enhanced the in-venue show with a slate of new visuals and content that are impressing fans in the seats.

We have a new black kit this year, she explains, so the overall design of our graphics has changed. We had to start from scratch and redo all of our programming to build out our content for the giant Halo Board.

In addition to Atlanta United's show, Chongarlides helms in-venue production for Atlanta Falcons games. Back in October, the NFL side dealt with its own set of challenges as details of the pandemic shifted frequently. Without fans in the stands, a lot of remote technologies were used to incorporate family members and friends into the game presentation and to capture content for videoboard prompts. TVU Networks played a large role in the content gathering, so the team decided to deploy that technology for the MLS season as well.

More than 40,000 fans attended the match vs. CF Montreal on May 15. (Photo: AJ Reynolds/Atlanta United)

Since we don't have to put antennas up to get our camera feeds back, she explains, a lot of our associates go out [to shoot video] with their phones. It has also been used by our social-media team to live-stream our team arrival.

One of the biggest lessons learned over the past yea
LINK: https://www.sportsvideo.org/2021/06/09/on-the-pitch-atlanta-united-emb...
See more stories from svg

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

04/08/2026

Dalet Announces Commercial Availability of Dalia, Bringing Media-Aware Agentic AI to Enterprise Productions

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

04/07/2026

Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in Dolby Cinemas Across Japan, Presented in Dolby Atmos and Dolby ...

April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...

01/06/2026

Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026

January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026 Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...

21/05/2026

Spectrum Launches New California News Networks

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

21/05/2026

Vivid Unease Ashley Barron ACS Lights Netflixs How to Get...

For cinematographer Ashley Barron ACS ( Rivals , Dangerous Liaisons , Disney's Doctor Who ), setting the look of Netflix's How to Get to Heaven from ...

21/05/2026

Hensgens Pairs Airglow and LiteMat on Cannes 2026 Premier...

Jean-Fran ois Hensgens, AFC, SBC, (Tueurs, Six Days in Spring, Le Fil) brings his signature visual approach to Cannes 2026 premiering biopic L'Affaire Marie...

21/05/2026

2026 delegation for Partner with Australia (UK) initiative announced

2026 delegation for Partner with Australia (UK) initiative announced 21 May 2026 Screen Australia and Ausfilm have today announced the delegation for the 2026 ...

21/05/2026

Beeble launches Canvas, a node-based AI compositor for VFX and Virtual Production pipelines

Beeble launches Canvas, a node-based AI compositor for VFX and Virtual Productio...

21/05/2026

Shelly Johnson Elected President of American Society of Cinematographers

Shelly Johnson Elected President of American Society of Cinematographers Brie Clayton May 20, 2026 0 Comments The American Society of Cinematographers...

21/05/2026

ARRI expands Management Board to accelerate next phase of growth and innovation

ARRI expands Management Board to accelerate next phase of growth and innovation Brie Clayton May 20, 2026 0 Comments ARRI expands its Management Board...

20/05/2026

New Nissan Stadium Is First NFL Venue With Permanent Built-In Music Stage

True to the Music City theme, the Tennessee Titans plan to make live music a prominent fixture on game days at the new venue Reflecting the continuing converge...

20/05/2026

NHL Taps Honeywell To Make Arenas, Facilities More Energy-Efficient

The long-term goal is innovation for the next generation of hockey rinks at both the professional and the community level The National Hockey League (NHL) toda...

20/05/2026

A Look Into the Future: What It Takes To Power the Next Generation of Sports Stadiums

End-users and vendors alike work toward cost-effective yet high-quality solution...

20/05/2026

Nasvhvilles New Nissan Stadium To Host Super Bowl LXIV in 2030

The National Football League has announced that Nashville will host Super Bowl LXIV in 2030 at the new Nissan Stadium. The announcement was made at the NFL Spri...

20/05/2026

NFL Awards Minnesota as Host Site of 2028 NFL Draft

The NFL has announced that the 2028 NFL Draft presented by Bud Light will take place in Minnesota, uniting fans from around the world to celebrate one of the mo...

20/05/2026

Lawo Highlights Edge One at InfoComm 2026

As professional AV workflows continue to evolve, expectations around audio, video, networking, and control are rising rapidly. At InfoComm 2026 in Las Vegas, La...

20/05/2026

Haivision to Showcase Video Wall, IPTV, and Ultra-Low Latency Video Innovations at InfoComm 2026

Haivision will showcase its latest innovations at InfoComm 2026, taking place fr...

20/05/2026

Spotify House Returns to CMA Fest With 3 Days of Nonstop Country Music

For the seventh year, Spotify is returning to CMA Fest with Spotify House, the festival's premiere destination for fans. We're taking over downtown Nash...

20/05/2026

Aero 2 from Acustica Audio

Amp-simulation software expanded Acustica Audio's latest release greatly expands on their amp-simulation platform, turning it into a complete amplifica...

20/05/2026

Arturia update the KeyLab Mk3

MainStage integration, Analog Lab improvements & more Arturia have just announced the release of an update that brings an assortment of new features to thei...

20/05/2026

SGL Carbon holds successful Annual General Meeting with strong approval of proposed resolutions

At the Annual General Meeting held on May 20, 2026, the shareholders of SGL Carb...

20/05/2026

From Gulkula to the nation: Yothu Yindi Foundation and NITV deepen national access to Garma Festival

From Gulkula to the nation: Yothu Yindi Foundation and NITV deepen national acce...

20/05/2026

SBS appoints David Fernandez as National Manager, Digital & TV Sales

SBS appoints David Fernandez as National Manager, Digital & TV Sales 20 May, 2026 Media releases SBS has appointed David Fernandez as National Manager, Dig...

20/05/2026

Rohde & Schwarz and INFOZAHYST: A strategic alliance set to redefine modern defense

Rohde & Schwarz and INFOZAHYST: A strategic alliance set to redefine modern defe...

20/05/2026

L3Harris Achieves Major Milestones With Latest Series of Rotating Detonation Engine Tests

A Rotating Detonation Engine being hot fire tested at Purdue University's Zu...

20/05/2026

VAMPIRE Confirms Integrated Capability During Live Exercises

A U.S. Army VAMPIRE system, assigned to Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 51st Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 7th Infantry Division/Multi-Domain Command - Pacific ...

20/05/2026

NCAA Tournaments Spark March Madness for Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery in Nielsen's The Gauge

Cable Captures Only Monthly Increase Among Viewing Categories in March, Earns it...

20/05/2026

The Gauge: Poland | April 2026

April brought a symbolic decrease in the overall time spent in front of television screens. On average, Poles watched video content for 3 hours and 51 minutes a...

20/05/2026

DirecTV Asks FCC to Block Scripps' INYO Acquisition

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

20/05/2026

RTS Technology Centre Launches the RTS Technology Awards...

The Royal Television Society Technology Centre today announces the launch of the RTS Technology Awards 2026, celebrating excellence, innovation and achievement ...

20/05/2026

Lightware powers immersive video spectacle for The Hunger...

In the heart of London's financial district, the new purpose-built Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre invites audiences to experience Suzanne Collins' inte...

20/05/2026

New LiveU LU900Q Powers Record Breaking Broadcast of the...

LiveU, the leader in live IP-video solutions, today announced that production powerhouse BCC Live successfully deployed the new LU900Q intelligent production un...

20/05/2026

Nella Mente di Narciso Docuseries Uses Blackmagic Design Workflow

Nella Mente di Narciso Docuseries Uses Blackmagic Design Workflow Brie Clayton May 19, 2026 0 Comments PYXIS 6K full frame camera and DaVinci Resolve ...

20/05/2026

Beeble launches Canvas, a node-based AI compositor for VFX and Virtual Production pipelinesx

Beeble launches Canvas, a node-based AI compositor for VFX and Virtual Productio...

20/05/2026

DSPolitical and FreeWheel Partner on Political CTV Ads

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

20/05/2026

Amazon, Netflix and Google to Capture Half of CTV Ad Market by 2030

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

20/05/2026

Roku Introduces 'Creator Hub

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

20/05/2026

First Nations Factual Co-production Development Fund launched to elevate Indigenous storytelling in global markets

First Nations Factual Co-production Development Fund launched to elevate Indigen...

20/05/2026

TLC Announces All-Star Comedy Line-Up for Mock the Week: Summer Specials' on TLC

TLC Announces All-Star Comedy Line-Up for Mock the Week: Summer Specials' o...

20/05/2026

'One Hundred Years of Solitude' Concludes This August, With Part Two Premiering on the 5th and the Grand Finale on the 26th

Back to All News One Hundred Years of Solitude Concludes This August, With Part...

20/05/2026

Beloved NHK Dramas to Stream on Netflix Worldwide Starting June 22

Back to All News Beloved NHK Dramas to Stream on Netflix Worldwide Starting June 22 Entertainment 20 May 2026 GlobalJapan Link copied to clipboard Netflix...

20/05/2026

Dolby Recognized as 2025 Supplier of the Year and Overdrive Award Winner by General Motors

May 20 2026, 06:00 (PDT) Dolby Recognized as 2025 Supplier of the Year and Over...

20/05/2026

Two cooks shortlisted for the final of RT Today's TV Home Cook Competition

Mayo's Dee Freney and Margaret Leahy from Galway have reached the final of RT Today's TV Home Cook competition. Both contestants will cook again live...

20/05/2026

RT IN FULL BLOOM AT BORD BIA BLOOM 2026 WITH LIVE BROADCASTS, MUSIC, CHAT AND MUCH MORE

RT IN FULL BLOOM AT BORD BIA BLOOM 2026 WITH LIVE BROADCASTS, MUSIC, CHAT AND M...

19/05/2026

Young Journalist' finalists visit London for training and networking

The winner of Thomson Foundation's Young Journalist of the Year 2025, Tracy Bonareri Onchoke, and runner up Wangu Kanuri enjoyed a three-day trip to London ...

19/05/2026

Cisco and USGA Announce Multiyear Partnership Extension

Cisco and the USGA have announced a multiyear extension of their partnership, which began in 2018. Cisco serves as the Official Technology Partner of the USGA, ...

19/05/2026

Urban Edge Network and Spiideo Partner to Enhance NAIA Sports Streaming

Urban Edge Network (UEN), a streaming platform for NAIA sports, has announced a partnership with Spiideo to provide streaming and production tools to UEN's ...

19/05/2026

Warner Bros. Discovery Announces Expanded Roland-Garros 2026 Coverage

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) will provide live coverage of all 900 Roland-Garros matches across its platforms beginning with qualifiers on May 18. In Europe, 21...

19/05/2026

Tubi Launches FIFA World Cup 2026 FOX Hub

Tubi, Fox Corporation's free streaming service, has announced the launch of the FIFA World Cup 2026 FOX Hub, a dedicated destination for World Cup programmi...