Atlanta United’s success wasn’t just on the field in 2018.
For a second consecutive year, Atlanta United president Darren Eales was named the Doug Hamilton Executive of the Year, the league announced Wednesday night.
Under Eales’ leadership, Atlanta United had one of the most successful seasons in MLS history, becoming the first club to draw more than 1 million fans and averaged a league-record 53,000 fans per game.
Eight times the team drew more than 70,000 fans, including a record crowd of 73,019 for MLS Cup.
Atlanta United led all clubs with seven awards on the evening, including Ticket Sales Team of the Year, Public Relations Team of the Year, Club Retailer of the Year, Digital Team of the Year, Operations Staff of the Year and Supporter Management Team of the Year.
Peter Vermes was named the newly-minted Sporting Executive of the Year, one of three awards Sporting Kansas City took home. Los Angeles Football Club won four awards in its first season, including Corporate Partnerships Team of the Year.
Here’s the complete list of 2018 MLS Club and Executive Award winners:
- Doug Hamilton Executive of the Year: Darren Eales, Atlanta United
- Corporate Partnerships Team of the Year: Los Angeles Football Club
- Ticket Sales Team of the Year: Atlanta United
- Corporate Partnerships Executive of the Year: Justin Compton, Sporting Kansas City
- Ticket Sales Executive of the Year: Sean Sittnick, Minnesota United FC
- Marketing Executive of the Year: Rich Orosco, Los Angeles Football Club
- Public Relations Team of the Year: Atlanta United
- Club Retailer of the Year: Atlanta United
- Expansion Club Recognition Award: Los Angeles Football Club
- Platform/Activation of the Year: Toronto FC (Hellman's)
- Ticket Sales Impact Award presented by the National Sales Center powered by SeatGeek: Colorado Rapids (Sales Combine)
- Marketing Team of the Year: New York City FC (24-hour game)
- Marisa Colaiano Community Relations Department of the Year presented by MLS WORKS: Chicago Fire
- Business Analytics Team of the Year: Los Angeles Football Club
- Academy of the Year: Sporting Kansas City
- Digital Team of the Year: Atlanta United
- Social Media Activation of the Year: LA Galaxy (#Galaxy Social / Malea Emma)
- Digital Content Experience of the Year: Portland Timbers (The Rivalry)
- Equipment Manager of the Year: Chris Maxwell, Houston Dynamo
- Operations Staff of the Year: Atlanta United
- Supporter Management Team of the Year: Atlanta United
- Security Staff of the Year: Seattle Sounders FC
- eMLS Team of the Year: Philadelphia Union
- Team Administrator of the Year: Spencer Childs, Portland Timbers
- Athletic Training Staff of the Year: Sporting Kansas City
