Atlanta United returned home to a crowd of 67,727 inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday night. The home opener is always a popular affair, but this one felt different. Coming off of a 1-0 season-opening loss in Columbus on Feb. 24, this match felt like the true beginning of the season.
And what a beginning it was. Atlanta not only won the match 4-1 but demonstrated that its back line will be a source of frustration for opponents this season. In two matches this season, Atlanta has allowed just two goals.
The victory was also the Mercedes-Benz Stadium debut for a number of Five Stripes players, including defenders Derrick Williams and Stian Gregersen.
“I would say it is improving big time, but I’m so upset about that goal. I want clean sheets,” Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda said of the late goal New England scored. “We need clean sheets, it could have been a great reward for our back line and midfielders that did a great job.”
Early fireworks
Goals from Thiago Almada and Giorgos Giakoumakis set the offensive tone for the match. However early in the match, both teams earned shots on goal that brought the crowd to its feet. Atlanta nearly went ahead in the second minute of play on a shot by forward Saba Lobjanidze. Both shots on goal for New England were quality, including a header that hit the crossbar in the 13th minute and another in the 26th minute.
Atlanta United managed to take five solid shots on goal within the first 20 minutes of the match. One of which was a laser beam from Thiago Almada that was stopped. Almada would score his first goal of the season on a penalty kick just before halftime to put Atlanta ahead 1-0.
Atlanta dominated possession during the first half while also doubling up New England in shots on goal during, 9-4.
During the second half, Atlanta expanded its lead to three goals following another penalty kick and a header, both from Giakoumakis, in the 55th and 60th minutes of the match. The later goal was assisted by defender Brooks Lennon. Giakoumakis would net his first career hat trick as a Major League Soccer player and put Atlanta ahead 4-0 following a goal in the 74th minute. Giakoumakis scored a team-high 19 goals in 30 matches last season.
What’s Next:
Atlanta United will host Orlando City on Sunday, Mar. 17, at 7:30 p.m. before traveling north of the border to face Toronto FC on Saturday, Mar. 23. The Five Stripes will close out the month of March with a home match against the Chicago Fire on Sunday, Mar. 31 at 3:30 p.m.