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Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United Defeats San Jose Earthquakes 3-1

September 21, 2019 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release


ATLANTA - A pair of late goals from Emerson Hyndman and Pity Martinez lifted Atlanta United to a 3-1 victory over San Jose Earthquakes Saturday in front of 43,451 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For Hyndman, it was his first career MLS goal, while Justin Meram added his fourth of the season. The win clinched a top four spot in the Eastern Conference, guaranteeing at least one home match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs. Fans can visit www.atlutd.com/tickets for more information.

Atlanta wasted no time and grabbed the lead in the 4th minute. Darlington Nagbe intercepted a pass on the right side and quickly found Josef Martinez at the top of the box where he backheeled it to Pity Martinez. The Argentine took a touch before having it poked away by a San Jose defender, but Meram ran onto the loose ball and unleashed a right-footed strike that took a slight deflection and flew into the center of the goal.

San Jose equalized in the 27th minute from an own goal. Daniel Vega played a long ball for Cristian Espinoza down the right side where he dribbled toward the end line before sending in a low cross at the near post, but it deflected off Brad Guzan and rolled into the net. However, Espinoza was sent off just seven minutes later after he picked up his second yellow card of the match when he stepped on Franco Escobar.

Atlanta nearly regained the lead in first half stoppage time when Meram sent in a cross from left side. An Earthquakes defender miss-hit his clearance and it fell to Hyndman on the doorstep, but he lifted his shot just over the crossbar.

But it was Hyndman's heroics that picked up all three points. In the 90th minute, Nagbe made a long run from midfield and played a through ball for Hyndman on the edge of the box. The midfielder took a touch, then blasted a right-footed shot into the upper left corner to give Atlanta the lead.

Pity Martinez doubled the lead just two minutes later. On a counterattack against just three San Jose defenders, Tito Villalba played Brandon Vazquez through along the left wing. Vazquez immediately crossed for a wide-open Martinez, who was in alone with Vega, and ultimately slotted to the keeper's left for a 3-1 lead.

Atlanta United (17-11-3, 54 points) returns to action Wednesday, Sept. 25 against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium (7:00 p.m. EST, FOX Sports South, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game).

MATCH INFO

Atlanta United 3, San Jose Earthquakes 1

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta, Georgia

STATS

Shots: 18-3 Atlanta

Shots on Target: 12-2 Atlanta

Corner kicks: 5-4 Atlanta

Fouls committed: 15-10 San Jose

Clearances: 14-13 Atlanta

Offside: 0-0

Possession: 61-39 Atlanta

Passing Accuracy: 87-74 Atlanta

SCORING SUMMARY

ATL- Justin Meram 4' [HIGHLIGHT]

SJ - Brad Guzan (own-goal) 27' [HIGHLIGHT]

ATL - Emerson Hyndman (Darlington Nagbe) 90' [HIGHLIGHT]

ATL - Pity Martinez (Brandon Vazquez, Tito Villalba) 90+2' [HIGHLIGHT]

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

ATL - Emerson Hyndman (yellow) 14'

SJ - Cristian Espinoza (yellow) 16'

ATL - Justin Meram (yellow) 24'

SJ - Cristian Espinoza (yellow, red) 34'

SJ - Daniel Vega (yellow) 48'

SJ - Judson (yellow) 62'

SJ - Chris Wondolowski (red) 90+1'

ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP

Brad Guzan ©; Leandro González Pirez, Miles Robinson, Franco Escobar; Justin Meram (Tito Villalba - 60'), Julian Gressel, Eric Remedi (Brandon Vazquez - 65'), Darlington Nagbe, Emerson Hyndman; Gonzalo Martinez, Josef Martinez (Mo Adams - 79').

Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, Florentin Pogba, Michael Parkhurst, Jeff Larentowicz.

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES STARTING LINEUP

Daniel Vega; Florian Jungwirth, Tommy Thompson (Shea Salinas - 55'), Nick Lima, Guram Kashia; Jackson Yueill, Judson (Andrés RÃ-os - 83'); Cristian Espinoza, Valeri Qazaishvili, Magnus Eriksson; Chris Wondolowski © (Danny Hoesen - 61').

Substitutes not used: AnÃ-bal Godoy, Harold Cummings, Carlos Fierro, Andrew Tarbell.

ATTENDANCE

43,451

OFFICIALS

Christopher Penso (referee), Jeremy Hanson (assistant), Kathryn Nesbitt (assistant), Greg Dopka (fourth), Ricardo Salazar (VAR).

TEAM NOTES

The win moved Atlanta into second place in the Eastern Conference with 54 points, three points behind New York City FC who play Sunday.

Josef Martinez's 15-match scoring streak came to an end. It's the first time he didn't score in a league match since May 19 against New York Red Bulls.

Justin Meram scored his fourth goal of the season.

Pity Martinez also scored his fourth goal of the season.

Darlington Nagbe and Tito Villalba each added their fourth assist of the season, while Brandon Vazquez picked up his first.

12 Shots on Goal ties the Atlanta United MLS single game record, which was set on Sept. 10, 2017

Atlanta United is now 10-1-3 all-time in games where the opponent receives at least one red card

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