MLS Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United Defeats NYCFC 2-1

Published on August 11, 2019 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release


ATLANTA - Behind another record-breaking performance from Josef Martinez, Atlanta United defeated New York City FC 2-1 Sunday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Martinez's opening goal in the 42nd minute marked the 10th consecutive league match in which he scored, breaking his own record of nine the year prior. He also added another in the second half, reaching 20 goals in 2019 and 70 career regular season goals, which surpassed the most for any MLS player in a three-year span. With the win, the club ran its home unbeaten streak to 11 consecutive matches.

Miles Robinson appeared to put the hosts ahead in the 33rd minute when he smashed home a corner kick from Pity Martinez. But after video review, the call was reversed citing a foul committed by Robinson prior to the goal.

But less than 10 minutes later, Josef Martinez broke the scoreless tie and a pair of MLS records at the same time. Julian Gressel and Pity Martinez combined along the right wing before Gressel sent a cross to the far post, where Josef Martinez rose above Maxime Chanot and powerfully headed the ball past Sean Johnson.

Martinez finished his brace from the spot in the 63rd minute. Pity Martinez earned the penalty, as he attempted to dribble past James Sands, but Sands got caught in and took Martinez down. Josef stepped up to the spot and powerfully hammered through a diving Johnson, who had correctly guessed to his right.

Heber pulled one back for NYCFC in the 81st minute. Maxi Moralez crossed into the box where Valentin Castellanos played the ball down with his left leg and left it for an on-rushing Heber, who lined up his right-footed shot into the left corner.

Atlanta United (13-9-3, 42 points) returns to action Wednesday, Aug. 14 when it hosts Club America at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the second annual Campeones Cup. Its next MLS match is Sunday, Aug. 18 at Portland Timbers (10:00 p.m. EST, FS1, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game).

MATCH INFO

Atlanta United 2, NYCFC 1

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta, Georgia

STATS

Shots: 18-11 Atlanta

Shots on Target: 9-4 Atlanta

Corner kicks: 11-4 Atlanta

Fouls committed: 21-12 NYCFC

Clearances: 26-15 NYCFC

Offside: 3-2 Atlanta

Possession: 58-42 Atlanta

Passing Accuracy: 77-73 Atlanta

SCORING SUMMARY

ATL - Josef Martinez (Julian Gressel, Pity Martinez) 42' [HIGHLIGHT]

ATL - Josef Martinez (penalty) 63' [HIGHLIGHT]

NYC - Heber (Valentin Castellanos, Maxi Moralez) 81' [HIGHLIGHT]

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

ATL - Leandro Gonzalez Pirez (yellow) 20'

NYC - James Sands (yellow) 27'

NYC - Ronald Matarrita (yellow) 36'

ATL - Pity Martinez (yellow) 59'

ATL - Julian Gressel (yellow) 69'

NYC - Maxime Chanot (yellow) 74'

ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP

Brad Guzan ©; Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Miles Robinson, Franco Escobar; Justin Meram, Darlington Nagbe, Eric Remedi (Jeff Larentowicz - 78'), Julian Gressel; Ezequiel Barco (Emerson Hyndman - 78'), Josef MartÃ-nez, Pity MartÃ-nez.

Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, Michael Parkhurst, Jeff Larentowicz, Florentin Pogba, Emerson Hyndman, Dion Pereira, Hector Villalba.

NYCFC STARTING LINEUP

Sean Johnson; Ronald Matarrita, Alexander Callens, James Sands (Heber - 66'), Maxime Chanot, Anton Tinnerholm; Ebenezer Ofori (Keaton Parks - 70'), Valentin Castellanos, Alexander Ring; Maxi Moralez, Alexandru Mitrita (Gary Mackey-Steven - 75').

Substitutes not used: Brad Stuver, Sebastien Ibeagha, Eric Miller, Tony Rocha.

ATTENDANCE

44,052

OFFICIALS

Jair Marrufo (referee), Ian Anderson (assistant), Jose Da Silva (assistant), Sergii Demianchuk (fourth), Edvin Jurisevic (VAR)

TEAM NOTES

Josef Martinez scored his 19th and 20th goals of the 2019 season.

It was a league-record 10th consecutive match in which he scored a goal. He scored in nine consecutive matches last season to tie Diego Valeri's (Portland, 2017) record.

It was his 69th and 70th career regular season goal, which also broke a league record for the most goals of any MLS player over a three-year span, surpassing Bradley Wright-Phillips.

And it was Martinez's 18th career multi-goal game.

Atlanta has now run its home unbeaten streak to 11 consecutive matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The streak is at 13 in all competitions, including matches at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

Jeff Larentowicz appeared in his 413th career game. That ranks second in MLS history among field players, trailing Kyle Beckerman (479).

Atlanta United registered a season-high with 9 shots on target.

Check out the Atlanta United FC Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 11, 2019


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