Atlanta United’s six-month wait to play in its new home of Mercedes-Benz Stadium appears to have been worth it.
A soccer game was supposed to be the first event in the $1.5 billion sports palace in March. However, construction delays pushed back the inaugural game until June, and then until July and then until Sunday’s opener against Dallas.
With goals from Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Josef Martinez and Greg Garza, Atlanta United defeated Dallas 3-0 in front of an announced attendance of 45,314 to start its string of six consecutive home games at its new home.
Unlike the team that looked lethargic at times in its previous two games, a 1-0 loss at D.C. United and a 2-2 draw at Philadelphia, the Five Stripes jumped on Dallas quickly and rarely let up. The team had a season-high 11 shots on goal and showed an imagination and understanding with passes and runs that have been missing in recent weeks.
The win keeps Atlanta United (11-8-6) in sixth place and in the playoffs in the MLS Eastern Conference. Atlanta United has 39 points with two games in hand on seventh-place Montreal, which has 36 points. The Five Stripes trail fifth-place New York Red Bulls by two points but have two games in hand, fourth-place Columbus by four points but have four games in hand and third-place Chicago by six points but have three games in hand.
Atlanta United will next host New England on Wednesday in the second of those six consecutive home games.
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