Shortly after signing Switzerland international Breel Embolo in one of the biggest transfers in MLS history, Atlanta United celebrated the occasion with a 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City.
Hours before the Five Stripes took to the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, it was confirmed that Embolo had penned a four-year contract with the club.
He arrives from Ligue 1 club Rennes for a reported $18m fee, having scored 10 goals and supplied three assists in his lone season with the club in 2025-26, following a switch from Ligue 1 rivals Monaco.
Overall, Embolo has scored 100 goals in 380 games throughout his career, which began with Swiss outfit Basel and has also seen him represent Schalke and Borussia Monchengladbach.
Embolo showed he still has plenty to offer at this year's World Cup as Switzerland reached the quarter-finals, scoring twice and supplying two assists, though it was his red card for simulation that ultimately proved costly in their extra-time defeat to Argentina.
The 29-year-old was presented to the crowd in Georgia on Sunday, with sporting director Chris Henderson excited about the qualities he will bring.
"We're pleased to bring a player with Breel's combination of talent and experience at the highest levels of world soccer to Atlanta United," Henderson told the club's website.
"At age 29, he's coming off a strong performance at the World Cup with Switzerland and has a proven track record of goal contributions in multiple top European leagues.
"His goalscoring, ability to link with other players in the attack and tireless work rate are qualities that will strengthen our team from the centre-forward position."
Breel in the building pic.twitter.com/LXl2XEBxwi
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) August 24, 2026
And Embolo saw his new team-mates extend their winning streak to three games, beating Sporting 2-1 via first-half goals from Tomas Jacob and Fafa Picault.
Miguel Almiron teed up both goals, breaking Atlanta's club record with his 42nd and 43rd assists across two spells in red and black.
Gerardo Martino's side are 12th in the Eastern Conference but only three points adrift of the playoff picture, with Embolo's arrival likely to provide a further shot in the arm.
The only other game to take place in MLS on Sunday saw the points shared at Gillette Stadium, as the New England Revolution drew 1-1 with New York City.
Carles Gil saw an early penalty – and the follow-up – saved by Matt Freese, and though Dor Turgeman put the Revs in front in the 36th minute, James Sands' goal in first-half stoppage time was enough to earn a point for NYCFC.
New England are fourth in the East with an eight-point buffer to the wild-card spots, while NYCFC are seventh, only a point ahead of the New York Red Bulls in eighth.