MLS Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United Defeats NYCFC, Advances to Eastern Conference Finals

Published on November 11, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release


ATLANTA - Atlanta United defeated New York City FC 3-1 (4-1 on aggregate) Sunday night to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2018 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. In front of an MLS Cup Playoff record of 70,526 fans, Josef Martinez scored twice and Miguel Almirón curled in a free kick to lead Atlanta. It will now play New York Red Bulls at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 25 in Leg One of the Eastern Conference Finals; Leg Two will be Thursday, Nov. 29 at Red Bull Arena. Official kickoff time and broadcast information for both matches will be announced at a later time.

Martinez opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 25th minute. Franco Escobar drew the foul near the end line after he charged into the box, but his feet were cleared out by Ismael Tajouri-Shradi before he had the opportunity to cross. Martinez stepped up to the spot and calmly slotted the ball the right corner.

Atlanta doubled the lead in the 42nd from an Almirón free kick. Placed directly in the center of the pitch from about 25 yards out, Almirón beautifully curled a ball around the left side of the wall and into the upper left corner to leave Sean Johnson little chance to make a save.

However, NYCFC immediately answered just before halftime in the 45th minute from Maxime Chanot. David Villa stepped up for a free kick from the left wing, but his attempt was initially redirected - after it seemed destined for the near post - off of Julian Gressel, who was on the far right of a three-man wall. The ball floated right to Chanot who was able to head it into an empty net.

Clinging to a two-goal aggregate lead in the second half, Atlanta put the series away in the 83rd minute as Martinez finished off his brace. Eric Remedi perfectly chipped a pass through the NYCFC defense for Martinez, who played the ball down with his chest, waited for a pair of bounces off the turf, then rifled a shot with his right foot past Johnson.

MATCH INFO

Atlanta United 3, NYCFC 1 (Atlanta 4-1 on aggregate)

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta, Georgia

STATS

Shots: 10-10

Shots on Target: 4-4

Corner kicks: 3-2 NYCFC

Fouls committed: 20-16 NYCFC

Saves: 3-1 Atlanta

Clearances: 21-11 Atlanta

Offside: 3-0 NYCFC

Possession: 69-31 NYCFC

Passing Accuracy: 84- NYCFC

SCORING SUMMARY

ATL - Josef Martinez (penalty) 25' [HIGHLIGHT]

ATL - Miguel Almirón 42' [HIGHLIGHT]

NYC - Maxime Chanot 45' [HIGHLIGHT]

ATL - Josef Martinez (Eric Remedi) 83' [HIGHLIGHT]

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

NYC - Maxime Chanot (yellow) 7'

NYC - Yangel Herrera (yellow) 40'

ATL - Franco Escobar (yellow) 44'

ATL - Miles Robinson (yellow) 61'

NYC - Maxi Moralez (yellow) 74'

NYC - Alexander Callens (yellow) 88'

ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP

Brad Guzan; Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Michael Parkhurst ©, Miles Robinson; Greg Garza, Eric Remedi, Darlington Nagbe, Franco Escobar; Josef Martinez, Miguel Almirón, Julian Gressel.

Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, George Bello, Andrew Carleton, Kevin Kratz, Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu, Ezequiel Barco, Tito Villalba.

NYCFC STARTING LINEUP

Sean Johnson; Ben Sweat, Alexander Callens, Maxime Chanot, Anton Tinnerholm; Yangel Herrera (Valentine Castellanos - HT), Alexander Ring; Maxi Moralez; Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, Jesus Medina, David Villa ©.

Substitutes not used: Brad Stuver, Sebastien Ibeagha, Ebenezer Ofori, Ronald Matarrita, Rodney Wallace, Eloi Amagat.

ATTENDANCE

70,526

OFFICIALS

Mark Geiger (referee), Matthew Nelson (assistant), Corey Rockwell (assistant), Armando Villarreal (fourth), Dave Gantar (VAR).

TEAM NOTES

Josef Martinez is 9-for-10 on penalty attempts this season. He's 11-for-12 in his Atlanta United career.

Josef Martinez recorded his 8th multi-goal game of the season

With 70,526 fans in attendance at today's Audi MLS Cup Playoff match against NYCFC, Atlanta United has surpassed one million fans to attend home matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this season.

Eric Remedi recorded his 2nd assist with the club tonight

Brad Guzan saw his playoff shutout streak end at 400 minutes. He ranks fourth in MLS Playoff history

Michael Parkhurst made his 24th career postseason appearance and 23rd start.

Darlington Nagbe made his 14th career postseason appearance and start.

Brad Guzan made his seventh career postseason appearance and start.

Check out the Atlanta United FC Statistics

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