Dynamo hammer Atlanta United to open season in style

So, about those preseason predictions ...

Major League Soccer served up a pair of upsets to open the 2018 season, as the Columbus Crew's 2-0 win over reigning champion Toronto FC on Saturday was followed, incredibly, by the Houston Dynamo hammering highly touted Atlanta United 4-0 at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Alberth Elis was the star of the show, setting up a pair of goals for the Dynamo, who found the net four times before the interval; Andrew Wenger, Philippe Senderos, Mauro Manotas, and Darwin Ceren all scored in the opening half, putting the contest to bed before the break.

Atlanta, tipped to build on its impressive inaugural campaign by making a legitimate push for top spot in the Eastern Conference this season, saw any chance of getting back in Saturday's contest drift away when Miguel Almiron crashed a penalty against the woodwork early in the second stanza.