There's no denying that Major League Soccer continues to grow in North America, and fan attendances continue to rise as well across the league.
The league's two Los Angeles based clubs, LA Galaxy and LAFC, have combined to set a new single-game attendance record (82,110) in the Gs' 2-1 win on July 4 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The game was meant to be originally played on February 25, but heavy rain forced the league to reschedule the matchup, resulting in a new record.
The record was previously held by Charlotte FC in their first ever home game where they fell to the Galaxy 1-0. 74,479 supporters flocked to Bank of America Stadium only to see the Galaxy come away with a narrow win thanks to a wonder-strike from Efrain Alvarez.
With that in mind, here are the top five highest single-game attendances in the league's history...
5. 72,035 - Atlanta United 3-1 D.C. United
Date: 3/11/2018
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
At number five, we have Atlanta United who will appear several more times on this list in their futuristic Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Five Stripes dominated in front of their supporters against D.C. United, with goals coming from the once formidable trio of Tito Villalba, Miguel Almiron, and Josef Martinez, months before they would go on to capture the MLS Cup.
4. 72,548 - Atlanta United 3-0 LA Galaxy
Date: 8/3/2019
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Surprise, surpise, Atlanta United find themselves, on the list once again. LA Galaxy make their first appearance, and it won't be their last.
Interestingly enough, the Five Stripes failed to score from open play - but won 3-0 - courtesy of own goals from LA's Giancarlo Gonzalez and Dave Romney. Josef Martinez capped the game off with a penalty kick late on the seal the win for Atlanta.
3. 73,019 - Atlanta United 2-0 Portland Timbers
Date: 12/8/2018
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta conquered MLS in just their second season in the league, triumphing 2-0 over Portland Timbers to bring home the 2018 MLS Cup.
It would end up being the perfect send-off for Gerardo 'Tata' Martino and Miguel Almiron, who are now at Inter Miami and Newcastle, respectively. The Five Stripes will hope to get back to similar ways to bring their loyal supporters more joy.
2. 74,479 - Charlotte FC 0-1 LA Galaxy
Date: 3/5/2022
Venue: Bank of America Stadium
The game couldn't have started any better - Charlotte FC began their era in MLS by breaking the single-game attendance record and were hosting the most successful club in league history, LA Galaxy.
But LA's Efrain Alvarez would prove to crash the party with his stunning strike that saw the Galaxy take all three points in Charlotte's first-ever home game.
1. 82,110 - LA Galaxy 2-1 LAFC
Date: 7/4/2023
Venue: Rose Bowl
What better way to break the league's single-game attendance record than on July 4th in one of America's oldest stadiums?
The latest edition of El Trafico was a classic, and the Gs defeated their city rivals with a perfectly placed goal from Riqui Puig in the second half, winning 2-1. The Galaxy are now unbeaten in their last six games, winning two straight against formidable opposition.
This article was originally published on 90min as Top five highest single-game attendances in MLS history.