SECTION 3

SECTION 3. GENERAL TERMINOLOGY

DATE AND TIME CONVENTION

Below we explain the way moving forward to write dates and times for specific uses.

Local and National communications

For use on graphics and social copy

  • Saturday, February 25 | 7:30 PM
  • Sat., February 25 | 7:30 PM

For use editorially and in press releases

  • Saturday, February 25 (7:30 pm) or Saturday, February 25 at 7:30 pm

Never include the time zone for communication on our channels, as it is understood to be in Eastern Time, unless we’re sharing an asset with a partner on another time zone (i.e.: Livestream of a match that goes live from both clubs’ platforms) 

International communications

For use on graphics

  • Saturday, February 25 - 7:30 PM (ATL) | 21:30 (ARG) | 14h30 (MEX)
  • Some countries in South America and Europe use military time, which should be reflected when relevant

For use editorially and in press releases

  • Saturday, February 25 (7:30 pm ET / 21:30 pm ARG / 6:30 pm MEX)
  • Saturday, February 25 at 7:30 pm ET

For use on social media copy and on-screen video

  • 02.25.23
  • 25.02.23 (for content created exclusively for Latin America)

SCORE CONVENTION

The home team always goes first in all communications (editorial, social, multimedia. hashtags), independently from where a match is being played.

When Atlanta United play at home:

  • Atlanta United vs Orlando City

  • ATLvORL

When Atlanta United play away:

  • Chicago Fire vs Atlanta United

  • CHIvATL

COUNTRIES, CITIES AND VENUES

The proper use of country names in English is important, especially when a country belongs to a larger union of countries or when an acceptable informal name exists. For example:

England vs United Kingdom vs Great Britain

  • England is a country 
  • United Kingdom is a country that includes the countries in the island of Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the British Isles 
  • Great Britain is an island in the Atlantic Ocean 

Netherlands vs Holland

  • Netherlands is the country  
  • Holland is a geographical region with the Netherlands 

For a complete list and correct spelling for each country, please refer to the CIA World Factbook.

When referring to a city, country, or a location where English is not the local language, the proper form in English should be used

  • Montreal (when referring to the city in Canada) but Montréal (when referring to the MLS Club) 
  • Sao Paulo, Brazil (instead of São Paulo, Brasil – the proper form in Portuguese) 

When referring to the name of a specific venue, the spelling in the local language should be used

  • Maracanã Stadium (instead of Maracana Stadium – the use of the accent is important to specify the venue in reference as there are many other stadiums with the same name)

NAMES AND NICKNAMES

The first reference of people’s and clubs’ names should always be their full name in their most common form. The second reference should be the last name of a person or a club’s name in its simplest form. Widely recognized nicknames can be used as a third reference.

For example:

  • Thiago Almada (1st reference), Almada (2nd reference), Thiago or “Guayo” (3rd reference) 
  • Atlanta United (1st reference), ATL UTD (2nd reference), 5-Stripes (3rd reference) 
  • Lionel Messi (1st reference), Messi (2nd reference), “La Pulga” (3rd reference) 
  • Real Madrid (1st reference), Madrid (2nd reference), Los Blancos (3rd reference)  

For names in a foreign language, the proper use of the original language should be used. For example: 

  • Luiz Araújo (not Luiz Araujo) 
  • Club Atlético de Madrid 
  • Amar Sejdić 

However, for people whose nickname is more recognizable than their full name, the nickname can be used as its primary and only reference: 

  • Pity Martínez (not Gonzalo Nicolás Martínez)  
  • Tata Martino (not Gerardo Daniel Martino) 
  • Pelé (not Edson Arantes do Nascimento) 
  • Kaká (not Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite)