Kacper Przybylko's second-half goal proved to be the winner as the Philadelphia Union beat Atlanta United 1-0 at Subaru Park.
The goal was created thanks to the skill of Jose Martinez, who did fantastically to run past multiple players before finding Przybylko inside the box, and he did well to slot his shot beyond Brad Guzan first time.
Sergio Santos had a great chance to score in the opening minutes. He managed to latch onto a loose ball beyond the Atlanta defence, but his shot was saved by the oncoming Brad Guzan.
Santos came close again just before the half-hour mark, but the offside flag was raised. Jack Elliott went on a mazy run and played a low pass towards the six-yard box. Santos managed to direct it towards goal, but it was saved bravely by Guzan. However, the linesman raised his flag as Leon Flach interfered with play from an offside position.
Guzan had a dodgy moment a couple of minutes later as he failed to deal with Kai Wagner's free-kick. It was played into a dangerous area, and the Atlanta goalkeeper was unsure of what to do with it. He decided to dive to the ground and parry it away, and the Union could not take advantage of the loose ball.
Wagner tested Guzan again in the 35th minute, but it was much more comfortable for the US goalkeeper. Wagner's shot from long-range was aimed towards the bottom corner, but Guzan comfortably got down to save it.
Kacper Przybylko stung the palms of Guzan shortly before half-time. Daniel Gazdag made a smart pass to put the striker through into the box, and Przybylko tried his luck with a fierce effort. However, Guzan managed to palm it into the air with the shot being too powerful to handle.
Gazdag was the next man to come close as his shot from inside the penalty area was saved by the Atlanta goalkeeper.
HALF-TIME: Philadelphia Union 0-0 Atlanta United
Marcelino Moreno forced Andre Blake into a save with the first chance of the second half. Moreno tried his luck from far out, but Blake managed to catch the ball as he dived for it.
In the 63rd minute, Elliott did brilliantly starting and almost finishing a Union attack. His smart play on the ball allowed him to do a one-two with Santos. Elliott evaded the first challenge and managed to get a shot away before feeling the force of the second. However, his shot was saved by the legs of Guzan.
Jose Martinez came close with a speculative half-volley from 20 yards, but his shot flashed over the crossbar.
Przybylko finally put the Union in front in the 71st minute. The goal was created thanks to the fantastic run of Martinez, who did incredibly well to weave his way between the defenders before cutting it back Przybylko to thump past Guzan and into the back of the net.
FULL-TIME: Philadelphia Union 1-0 Atlanta United
Philadelphia Union: Blake, Mbaizo, Glesnes, Elliott, Wagner, Martinez (McGlynn 79'), Flach, Monteiro, Gazdag (Aaronson 57'), Przybylko (Sullivan 78'), Santos (Fontana 87')
Unused Substitutes: Bendik, Findlay, Davo, McGlynn, Bueno, Powell
Atlanta United: Guzan, Campbell (Wolff 79'), Robinson, Walkes, Lennon, Sosa, Rossetto (Chol 90'), Moreno (Conway 69'), Bello (Mulraney 69'), Araujo, Barco
Unused Substitutes: Hernandez, DeJohn, Kann, Adams, Ambrose