A disappointing start to the Atlanta United season, who couldn’t quite shake off the preseason rust and fell 4-0 on the road against the Houston Dynamo.
Tata Martino started much of the team that lined up during preseason, with Franco Escobar and Darlington Nagbe making their official MLS debuts for Atlanta United. Miguel Almirón drifted out left in place of the injured Ezequiel Barco with Julian Gressel taking his spot in the middle, and Michael Parkhurst started the match on the bench as he works his way back to full fitness. The full starting XI: Brad Guzan (GK), Greg Garza (LB), Jeff Larentowicz (CB), Leandro González Pirez (CB), Franco Escobar (RB), Chris McCann (CM), Darlington Nagbe (CM), Miguel Almirón (LW), Julian Gressel (CAM), Tito Villalba (RW), Josef Martinez (ST).