The Union weren’t beaten as badly as other teams have been at Atlanta United this year, but their 3-0 defeat Wednesday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was plenty thorough.
Atlanta’s first two goals came in quick succession during the middle portion of the first half.
Julian Gressel, a contender with Union defender Jack Elliott for MLS Rookie of the Year, got the first. In the 27th minute, he cut past Warren Creavalle and Oguchi Oneywu and slid a low shot to Union goalkeeper Andre Blake’s far post.
Josef Martínez scored the second, capping off a lightning-quick build up through the middle of the field with a sharply angled finish in the 33rd minute.