“We knew there was going to be a storm coming,” D.C. Coach Ben Olsen said.

Over the balance of the first half, however, D.C. (3-3-2) regained its composure and began solving problems. Hamid shook off a groin injury that appeared more serious than it was.

An own goal, created by Lamar Neagle’s cross, leveled the score midway through the half, and after Luciano Acosta’s go-ahead strike 11 minutes later, United added Sebastien Le Toux’s goal in a disciplined second half to win on the road for the second time since last June.

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“We knew they’d come out flying,” defender Bobby Boswell said of the expansion team (3-3-2), which posted 17 goals in the first seven matches. “The goal hurts us, but the fact that it was just one, we were able to calm down and get back in the game.”

D.C.’s response was quite unexpected. In the second game of the season, D.C. had come under similar pressure at New York City FC and conceded three first-half goals en route to a 4-0 howler. This one was on the same, ugly trajectory.

But Olsen’s gang began gathering possession and counterattacking effectively against an Atlanta side that the D.C. coaching staff believed was susceptible to such forays.

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D.C. proceeded to score three times over 30 minutes bridging halftime and generated several other threats during its first three-goal away performance since late 2014.

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“We dealt with their wave pretty well,” Hamid said. “Thankfully, they didn’t get three goals in the first 10 minutes.”

This city has welcomed the pro sports newcomer with open and enthusiastic arms, propelling it to the top of MLS’s attendance chart with an average of more than 45,000 through three home dates on the Georgia Tech campus.

Later this year, the team will move into Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a structure largely financed by Arthur Blank, the Falcons owner and Atlanta United’s investor.

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In its first visit, the MLS originals from Washington faced a lethal and favored greenhorn. While the visitors are on a tight budget until revenue begins flowing with a new stadium next year, Atlanta prepped for its debut by hiring Gerardo Martino, a former FC Barcelona and Argentina coach, and signing several impact players.

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D.C. arrived with Acosta and Taylor Kemp back in the lineup but Steve Birnbaum, Patrick Nyarko and Nick DeLeon still out with injuries.

D.C. was under siege. Hamid made two sterling saves on close-range efforts in the first three minutes. The injury prompted him, as a precaution, to yield goal kicks to teammates.

In the ninth minute, Atlanta broke through on Kenwyne Jones’s close-in header. The former Premier League striker floated into Boswell’s blind spot and headed in Yamil Asad’s cross.

“The goal was coming,” Olsen said. “It was just a matter of when.”

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Acosta’s footwork was sublime, offering hope for a response.

“We eventually calm down,” Neagle said, “and realize we can play.”

Against the flow, D.C. drew even in the 25th minute when Neagle infiltrated the left side and tried crossing to Le Toux. The service deflected off sliding defender Michael Parkhurst and past Alec Kann at the near post.

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Acosta smashed the deadlock in the 36th, collecting a throw-in near the sideline, dodging two challenges and cruising to the top of the box. Two defenders backed off, leaving time and space for the Argentine playmaker to place a low shot beyond Kann’s reach.

D.C. was under duress at the start of the second half but absorbed pressure and answered in the 55th minute. Acosta was the ringleader, pushing a through ball to Le Toux onside for an unruffled finish — his second goal in as many starts.

Hamid made two more quality saves in the last 10 minutes to douse Atlanta’s comeback plans. And with the final whistle, D.C. completed a three-match road stretch (1-1-1) on a rousing note heading into a three-game stay at RFK Stadium, starting Saturday against Montreal (1-3-4).

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“The road in the MLS continues to prove to be very difficult to pick up points,” Olsen said. “Whether it’s one or three, you usually get out of there feeling pretty good about yourself.”

Notes: Chris Odoi-Atsem, D.C.’s first-round draft pick from DeMatha High and the University of Maryland, made his pro debut, entering in the 90th minute. . . .