Atlanta United x Colorado Rapids

In its first midweek experience of the MLS season, Atlanta United defeated the Colorado Rapids 4-0 at home. Atlanta's 4-0 triumph ended a losing streak of four games and ensured that they would maintain their habit of scoring in every game this season.

In the 29th minute, Atlanta scored the game's opening goal with a direct free kick following a foul on Derrick Etienne Jr. a few yards outside the area. Almada, who had previously missed a penalty attempt in the 10th minute, made this one. His arcing shot beat a surprised William Yarbrough in goal for Colorado.

Arajo scored a second goal in the 80th minute on a breakaway. Arajo received a feed from Brooks Lennon near midfield, dribbled past a Colorado defender, split two more defenders, and then slotted the ball past Colorado goalkeeper Yarbrough into the bottom right corner to make it 2-0.

The victory was capped off by two more goals scored by Atlanta in the second half. In the 87th minute, Wolff put the game away by poking in a loose ball that had been kicked about in front of the net by Almada. Giakoumakis, who had entered the game as a substitute earlier in the half, scored the fourth goal by chipping the keeper to make it 4-0 and give Atlanta a welcome and dominating win.

Photography by Rachel Pearce