In Atlanta United's first ever home season opener, Josef Martinez finished with two assists, but it was some of the club's new acquisitions making the difference and leading the Five Stripes to a 3-1 win over Sporting Kansas City.
Disaster struck early for United as Luiz Araujo suffered an apparent hamstring injury on the same play that he scored the opening goal. Gonzalo Pineda, United's head coach, opted to sub in Dom Dwyer, a former member of the Sporting Kansas City Club. Dwyer, who admitted to Mike Conti and Jason Longshore on the Full-Time Report that he was "a bit nervous" making his debut with the club, went on to score giving United a 2-0 lead. He later said, "it was bittersweet" scoring against his former teammates.
The contributions didn't end there. Another player making his United debut came up big in the season opener. Late in the second half, Kansas City made it a 2-1 match. Caleb Wiley, one of Atlanta United's homegrown players, scored in the 89th minute to put the game away. The 17-year-old had been a part of Atlanta United 2 and was signed to the main roster back in January.
Dwyer's and Wiley's goals marked the second time in Atlanta United history that multiple players making their debut with the club scored in the same match.
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It was an impressive opening match for United, who hopes to continue getting these types of performances from their newcomers as they look to capture another MLS Cup.
