Atlanta United launched its 2022 MLS season with a 3-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, with Dom Dwyer scoring a golazo in his club debut, Josef Martinez dishing up a pair of assists, and 17-year-old homegrown defender Caleb Wiley scoring in his MLS debut. Atlanta's Luiz Araujo scored the game's first goal before leaving with an injury, and Dwyer added the game's second goal in first-half stoppage time after replacing him. With a goal in the 85th minute, Daniel Salloi gave Sporting KC a late lifeline, but Wiley equalized just four minutes later to preserve all three points.

Araujo put the Five Stripes ahead 20 minutes into the game, latching onto Josef Martinez's flicked back-heel and slipping the finish past SKC goalkeeper Tim Melia. The joy was short-lived, as Araujo looked to suffer a muscle injury on the play and was replaced by Dwyer. Dwyer took advantage of the situation, scoring Atlanta's second goal soon before halftime. On the right side of the penalty box, the former SKC man made a brilliant individual effort to elude Andreu Fontas, setting himself up for a crisp finish that marked his first MLS goal since Sept. 21, 2019.

The visitors had an opportunity to salvage a point when Salloi found himself unmarked at the far post on a corner kick and cashed in a close-range finish in the 85th minute. Wiley, on the other hand, made sure that didn't happen, scoring a breakaway goal on his MLS debut shortly before the final whistle.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Rachel Pearce]