WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On a cold, rainy Sunday night at Audi Field, Major League Soccer's past, present, and future collided in D.C. United's 2-0 victory over Atlanta United.
The home team represented the past. D.C. United dominated MLS's inaugural half-decade, winning three MLS Cups in the league's first four years and another in 2004. But it suffered through a poor stretch of late, capped by a dismal 9-20-5 showing in 2017.
Atlanta United is the present. The current MLS Cup holders created the big-spending, great-success blueprint for an MLS expansion squad. Arthur Blank, who came north to watch his club in its season opener, splashed cash early and often, and was rewarded with a championship in year two.