Atlanta United FC off to good start; Seattle Sounders FC head north

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — After the opening weekend of Major League Soccer, it looks as though Atlanta is doing everything right.

Now all the team needs is a first victory.

It could come Sunday against the league's other expansion team and another United, Minnesota, at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Atlanta made its highly anticipated debut at Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium in the season opener against the New York Red Bulls. The announced crowd was 55,927, which included United's multiple supporters' groups: Terminus Legion, Footie Mob, Resurgence and The Faction.

Yamil Asad scored the first goal in team history in the 25th minute to give Atlanta the lead, but the Red Bulls ultimately pulled out the 2-1 victory.

Supporters unfurled a tifo of a golden phoenix in the stands and celebrated the team's new tradition when Asad hammered a "Golden Spike" to commemorate the first goal. The spike is a nod to the city's railroad heritage.

"It is a tremendous — yeah, tremendous — thing for the city to have a team here," Atlanta midfielder Julian Gressel said. "Now, we just have to try to win every game and put it on for the fans. It helps us because they push us through the thick and thin. Now, we get off to a great start now and hope we start winning games."

Atlanta was already on the right track. The club has sold more than 30,000 season tickets, a record for an expansion team, and open Mercedes Benz Stadium this summer.

Many credit owner Arthur Blank, who also owns the NFL's Falcons, for the successful startup.

"We had been focused on Atlanta for many years, but it didn't take off until Arthur Blank stepped forward and raised his hand to say, 'Hey, I want to lead the effort to bring an MLS team to Atlanta,'" Commissioner Don Garber said. "When Arthur Blank speaks, everybody listens, because he's such a well-respected figure in the business world."

Garber also credited the supporters for their energy in helping launch the team.

"I love the NFL, and I love the Atlanta Falcons fans. I couldn't love them more. But soccer fans take it to the next level," Blank told reporters at the opener. "To see the enthusiasm of our fans and their commitment, their passion for the game and our team, Atlanta United, it just makes my heart feel really good. I know that sounds like a hokey thing, but it's kinda how I feel."