WATCH: MLS goal fest as Atlanta United beat Minnesota in -6 degrees weather
Monday 13 March 2017 11:22, UK
Atlanta United spoiled fellow expansion club Minnesota's snowy home opener with a 6-1 victory Sunday that matched the coldest game in MLS history at -6 Celsius.
The crowd at the University of Minnesota football stadium, where the club will play until its soccer-specific stadium is finished, was announced at 35,043 but dwindled to significantly lower than that.
"The only positive that we can take from today is the people who braved the elements to come out," Minnesota coach Adrian Heath said.
"I thought their support was incredible, and it's just a pity that we couldn't give them any type of performance that warrantied the support that we got."
The clash was the ninth game in league history played in snow, but only the second time the special orange ball was used for better visibility. The action was stopped several times so the grounds staff could clear touchlines and goal lines with leaf blowers.
In other MLS matches on Sunday, David Villa scored two goals in New York City's 4-0 win over D.C. United and Diego Chara scored in the eighth minute to help Portland hold off Los Angeles 2-1.
Watch the snowy scenes from Minnesota in the video above
