Standing at the base of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Brandon Wattenbarger sees his vision come to life: his design, turned into Atlanta United’s Scarf of the Month. Asked to sum up his idea, to explain what “Earned these Stripes” means to him, he only needs a few words.
“Mainly, it’s a celebration.”
Brandon grew up in Mableton, about a half-hour drive from Mercedes-Benz Stadium. With Mexican heritage running deep in his family, he says soccer was always a big part of his life growing up. But it wasn’t until the first, record-breaking match when he realized the city was just as electrified as he was.
“My first memory would be the inaugural game,” he says. “It definitely surprised me to see how excited everyone else was about it. And then just to see how the different parts of Atlanta, whether it’s the music and art culture or the college sports and football culture all combined into something new that’s unique to soccer and that’s unique to Atlanta.”
The massive grassroots soccer scene in the city and the transplant population downtown have been tabbed as reasons behind the fanbase’s success. But Brandon says it’s the unique culture of the city that was ready for a soccer team to call their own.
“I’ve always thought it was just the multiculturalism of Atlanta,” he says. “Whether it’s because of the airport or location, or whatever made it that way, but there’s this great mix of Hispanic culture, African American culture and southern culture and it blends really well here in Atlanta, a place where people are happy to embrace every part of that.”
The story of the club’s historic run from there has been told many ways, and Brandon acknowledges winning the first MLS Cup will always be a special moment in the team’s history. But he says the club’s next trophy, the Campeones Cup, will always be a personal highlight as well.
“I was there, and having a tie to Mexico and hating Club América a little bit personally,” he laughs, “just having that international trophy feel and the way we came back to win. The Larentowicz goal was an amazing moment. I know it’s a young trophy, but beating that team is an achievement.”
Right around that time is when Atlanta United held it’s Scarf of the Month design contest. Brandon has been drawing ever since he can remember, and has been studying graphic design since high school. Now completing his undergrad at UGA, he knew he had to enter. And the team’s trophy-laden run was reason, Brandon believed, to celebrate.
“Three trophies in a year,” he says. “Not only could I not have dreamed for a team to be this successful in Atlanta in terms of fanbase, but also in terms of silverware, finally bringing some trophies to the city. That was something I was really proud of. So ‘Earned These Stripes’ to me is a celebration of having completed something, but also putting in the work, earning it, and making a name for ourselves.”
But seeing it on the computer screen and holding the scarf in his hand for the first time are two different experiences altogether. Standing in the shadow of the team’s home fortress, Brandon can’t help but smile.
“You see it on the design template, and you wonder how it will transfer onto something physical like this. But I’m really happy with it. Just the quality of the scarf itself, and to see my vision come to life, it’s hard to describe.”
So when you see the January Scarf of the Month held high –– in the supporters’ section or around town –– know that it’s more than just a scarf. It’s the story of Brandon, one of the thousands of 17s that have made Atlanta United’s fanbase one worth celebrating.
“I would say they’re wearing the pride of the city,” Brandon says. “Although we’ve come very far, succeeded a lot, I want that attitude to continue. The passion of the fans to keep going for more, keep winning more cups and keep breaking more records, because I think that’s what this team is about.”
© 2026 Atlanta United FC
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