MLS Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United Drops Season Opener to Houston Dynamo

Published on March 3, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release


ATLANTA - Atlanta United lost its season opener 4-0 to Houston Dynamo on Saturday afternoon at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Houston started the scoring in the fifth minute from Andrew Wenger. Alberth Elis took possession near the end line and centered a ball for Wenger who tapped in the opening goal. Philippe Senderos doubled Houston's lead in the 23rd minute off of a short corner.

The Dynamo added two more before halftime. Mauro Manotas picked up a loose ball inside of the box and buried a shot past Guzan in the 27th minute to make it 3-0. Substitute Darwin Ceren made it 4-0 in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time.

Leandro Gonzalez Pirez left the game with a right hip contusion in the 39th minute.

Atlanta United (0-1-0, 0 points) returns to action for its home opener against D.C. United on Sunday, March 11 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (2 p.m., ESPN).

LINE SCORE

Houston Dynamo 4, Atlanta United 0

BBVA Compass Stadium

Houston, Texas

STATS

Shots: 13-13

Shots on Target: 10-2 Houston

Corner kicks: 8-4 Houston

Fouls committed: 10-8 Atlanta

Saves: 6-2 Atlanta

Clearances: 29-18 Houston

Offside: 2-1 Houston

Possession: 60-40 Atlanta

Passing Accuracy: 84-78 Atlanta

SCORING SUMMARY

HOU - Andrew Wenger (Alberth Elis, Philippe Senderos) 5' [HIGHLIGHT]

HOU - Philippe Senderos (Boniek Garcia, Eric Alexander) 24' [HIGHLIGHT]

HOU - Mauro Manotas (Andrew Wenger, Alberth Elis) 27' [HIGHLIGHT]

HOU - Darwin Ceren 45+5' [HIGHLIGHT]

DISCLIPINARY SUMMARY

ATL - Leandro Gonzalez Pirez (yellow) 32'

ATL - Chris McCann (yellow) 34'

ATL - Julian Gressel (yellow) 45+7'

HOU - Chris Seitz (yellow) 61'

ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP

Brad Guzan; Greg Garza, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez (Michael Parkhurst - 39'), Jeff Larentowicz ©, Franco Escobar; Chris McCann, Darlington Nagbe (Kevin Kratz - 61'); Miguel Almirón, Julian Gressel, Tito Villalba (Brandon Vazquez - 73'); Josef Martinez.

Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, Sal Zizzo, Andrew Carleton, Romario Williams.

HOUSTON DYNAMO STARTING LINEUP

Chris Seitz; DaMarcus Beasley, Philippe Senderos, Adolfo Machado, Kevin Garcia; Juan David Cabezas (Darwin Cerén 15'), Eric Alexander; Andrew Wenger (Arturo Alvarez - 68'), Boniek Garcia (Romell Quioto - 75'), Alberth Elis; Mauro Manotas.

Substitutes not used: Joe Willis, Memo Rodriguez, Dylan Remick, Leonardo.

ATTENDANCE

20,377

OFFICIALS

Allen Chapman (referee), Jeremy Hanson (assistant), Andrew Bigelow (assistant), Armando Villarreal (fourth), Edwin Jurisevic (VAR).

TEAM NOTES

* It was the official Atlanta United debut for Franco Escobar and Darlington Nagbe.

* Jeff Larentowicz made his 339th career MLS start, tying him for seventh place all-time among field players.

* Larentowicz was the captain for today's match. He gave the armband to Michael Parkhurst once the veteran defender was substituted on in the 39th minute.

* Brad Guzan made six saves today, one shy of the club's franchise record set by Alec Kann (April 8, 2017; at TOR).

* Miguel Almirón had a game-high six shot attempts.

* Darlington Nagbe had a team-high four chances created.

* Julian Gressel had a team-high five tackles.

* A 61st minute sub, Kevin Kratz led the team in passing accuracy at 95.8 (24-of-28).

* Almirón missed a penalty in the 49th minute.

* Leandro Gonzalez Pirez left the game with a right hip contusion. He's day-to-day.

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