MLS Review: Atlanta christen new home in style, Sounders held by Galaxy

It was a memorable night for Atlanta United, who celebrated playing in their new stadium with a convincing win over FC Dallas in MLS, while reigning champions Seattle Sounders drew at home to LA Galaxy.

Expansion franchise and stuttering Atlanta christened Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a 3-0 victory against Dallas on Sunday.

Having used Bobby Dodd Stadium temporarily, Atlanta moved to the newly built Mercedes-Benz Stadium – also home to NFL franchise the Atlanta Falcons – this week and snapped their four-match winless streak in front of a sell-out crowd of 45,314.

Leandro Gonzalez Pirez gave Atlanta a 14th-minute lead when he snuck in at the back post and bundled the ball home.

The FIRST EVER win in @MBStadium

Relive the historic match for #ATLUTD pic.twitter.com/L7FX5GK3gH

— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) September 10, 2017

It took only a minute into the second half for Atlanta to double their lead after Josef Martinez side-footed past Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez.

Miguel Almiron rattled the crossbar before team-mate Gregory Garza made it 3-0 in the 68th minute.

Atlanta occupy the sixth and final play-off spot in the Eastern Conference, while Dallas – amid an eight-game winless run – are sixth in the west, only a point ahead of San Jose Earthquakes.

The Sounders were held to a 1-1 draw by visitors the Galaxy at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.

Lamar Neagle’s 85th-minute equaliser cancelled out Gyasi Zardes’ first-half opener as Western Conference high-flyers Seattle extended their undefeated streak to 12 matches.

Ozzie  Román  Lamar

1-1 #SEAvLA pic.twitter.com/cTZMMwLPWz

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) September 11, 2017

Meanwhile, Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City played out a 1-1 draw.