Juventus’ presence elevates MLS status

Midfielder McCann calls Italian club’s visit ‘a testament.’

The Italian club’s history, the players, the Netflix documentary ... those are a few of the reasons that some Atlanta United players are excited that Juventus will play the MLS All-Stars at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Aug. 1.

“It’s a testament to what this club and this city have brought to the footballing world: to have a team like that want to come here and play on our grounds, it’s amazing,” Atlanta United midfielder Chris McCann said.

Juventus is one of the world’s most prestigious clubs. Based in Turin, it has won Italy’s top division 36 times and the Champions League twice. It will be the second team from Italy to compete against the MLS AllStars. Roma defeated the AllStars 3-1 in 2013 at Sporting Park in Kansas City.

A few of Atlanta United’s players have gotten an inside look at Juventus by watching the Netflix documentary series, “First Team: Juventus.” The movie premiered Feb. 16 after chronicling the team during the start of the 2017-18 season.

The team includes Italian players Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Claudio Marchisio, Argentine stars Gonzalo Higuian and Paulo Dybala, and Brazilians Douglas Costa and Alex Sandro, among other notables.

“Some legends on that team,” Atlanta United midfielder Julian Gressel said. “It’s going to be a fun atmosphere and fun experience, I think.”