D.C. United Shuts Out MLS Champs in Season Opener

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D.C. United beat Atlanta United FC 2-0 at Audi Field Sunday evening, their first season-opening win since 2015.

To start the 2018 season, D.C. United played to a tie against Orlando City in their opener on March 3rd. The following week, they lost to Atlanta United FC and on it went until mid-April when they picked up their first win of the season over the Columbus Crew. But last year was last year and a lot has changed between then and now, including the opening of Audi Field, their brand new, state-of-the-art venue that didn’t host a D.C. United game until their 15th match of 2018. And, of course, they didn’t have Wayne Rooney a year ago when their season kicked off.

Needless to say, D.C. United fans didn’t have to wait a month for a win this year. Instead, the team delivered for their hometown fans during Sunday’s season opener, shutting out Atlanta United FC 2-0 in front of a national television audience on ESPN.

Nearly 17,000 fans came to Audi Field for the Atlanta United-D.C. United match, watching as Ben Olsen’s squad won their first MLS season opener in 1,458 days. Their last season-opening win came at the start of the 2015 season (March 9th, 2015, vs. Montreal). The victory also extended two impressive streaks D.C. United has going for them; they’re now up to 12 MLS games in a row without a loss, which dates back to last season, and they still have never lost to Atlanta United at home (4-0).

Rooney didn’t score on Sunday night but he did pick up an assist on D.C. United’s first goal of the 2019 season — Paul Arriola (45+1′). Watch below…

Luciano Acosta, who also assisted on Arriola’s goal, scored a goal of his own in the 58th minutes.

UP NEXT: Sun, Mar. 10, at NYCFC (Yankee Stadium)