Atlanta United play it pretty, win home opener 4-1

An Atlanta United supporter sign asked the team to “Play It Pretty” during the home opener Saturday night. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice Atlanta United returned home to a crowd of 67,727 inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday night. The home opener is always a popular affair, but this one felt different. Coming off of a 1-0 season-opening loss in Columbus on Feb. 24, this match felt like the true beginning of the season.& And what a beginning it was. Atlanta not only won the match 4-1 but demonstrated that its back line will be a source of frustration for opponents this season. In two matches this season, Atlanta has allowed just two goals.& The victory was also the Mercedes-Benz Stadium debut for a number of Five Stripes players, including defenders Derrick Williams and Stian Gregersen.& “I would say it is improving big time, but I’m so upset about that goal. I want clean sheets,” Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda said of the late goal New England scored. “We need clean sheets, it could have been a great reward for our back line and midfielders that did a great job.” Thiago Almada of Atlanta United steps up to take a...