This type of thing can happen when one side throws an MLS starting lineup out there and the other uses mostly substitutes, trailists and academy players. Not that it usually goes this bad, mind you. Let’s just say Atlanta United FC had the Sounders running around in circles for most of the first 45 minutes.
The 3-0 score at halftime is actually much better than it could have been as third-string Sounders keeper Bryan Meredith made three dazzling stops on shots from in-close to prevent the Atlanta side from adding a fourth, fifth and even sixth marker. The Sounders had a couple of chances in close, the biggest being when academy player David Olsen — making his preseason debut — tried a bicycle kick from inside the box that nearly found its way underneath the crossbar for what would have been a highlight reel goal.