3/3/19 8:30pm

Atlanta United struggles offensively in 2019 MLS Opener, fall to DC 2-0

Cover Photo: @atlutd/instagram

By. Andrew Rodberg

On a cold, rainy night in DC, one might say its a time to stay inside and watch movies, but not for MLS fans…16,942 to be exact. In the highly anticipated return of MLS, the Defending Champions, Atlanta United, traveled to Audi Field to take on DC United. After a 1st round CONCACAF Champions League victory on Thursday, Atlanta United opened up their MLS season on Sunday night.

With MLS fans watching all over, this one looked to be close from the first whistle. As the match got underway, many expected to see Atlanta United come out and spark something offensively, but sadly that didn’t happen. Following some untimely off-side penalties, Atlanta United fell into a hole when they allowed consecutive corner kicks to DC. With the pressure of having to withstand multiple goal attempts, Atlanta United was unable to hold them off to close out the first half. In stoppage time, DC’s Luciano Acosta passed the ball to teammate, Paul Arriola, who put the first goal for either team on the board.

DC United went into halftime feeling pretty good about their 1-0 lead but refused to settle to start the second. To open up the second half, Atlanta United showed some urgency as they knew they had a deficit to climb out of. In doing so, Mikey Ambrose became a little too aggressive and was charged with a yellow card. No more than five minutes later, DC United would capitalize with a Luciano Acosta 58th minute goal to put up DC 2-0.

As the game progressed further along, Atlanta began to control the ball for a lot of the remaining time but was unable to get in the scoring column. With DC’s Wayne Rooney starting his first full MLS season, it was obvious he was a major piece of DC coming out with a victory. As the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read DC 2 ATL 0.

Quick Facts:

• Atlanta United possessed the ball 57% to DC’s 43%
• Atlanta United had 605 total passes to DC’s 464
• DC (17) outshot ATL (9)
• DC earned 7 corner kicks to ATL’s 3

Atlanta United now looks ahead to a Leg 1 matchup with Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions League Tournament on Wednesday at 10:00pm

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