Atlanta United Defeats Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1-0 for MLS Record Fifth Consecutive Shutout Victory

May 16, 2019 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release

NCOUVER, British Columbia - Atlanta United beat Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1-0 Wednesday night at BC Place for an MLS record fifth straight clean sheet victory. Josef Martinez buried his fifth goal of the season on a penalty kick in the first half as Atlanta earned its 12th point in the last 11 days. It was also Brad Guzan's sixth shutout of the season to run his clean sheet streak to 456 minutes.

Atlanta was awarded a penalty in the 28th minute after Pity Martinez was brought down inside the box. The play began when Josef Martinez and Brek Shea combined for a give and go on the left side where Martinez sent a cross through the six-yard box that was partially cleared and quickly dumped back in the box. Pity Martinez found the ball, made a move towards goal and was dragged down by Vancouver's Lass Bangoura. The Venezuelan stepped to the spot and placed his shot into the right side of the goal with enough pace to beat a diving Maxime Crépeau in the 29th minute.

Atlanta produced several chances to extend its lead in the second half, most notably in the 59th minute when it had three shots on target in quick succession. Tito Villalba sprinted behind Vancouver's backline on a counter and took a low shot that was blocked by Crépeau. The ball bounced to a trailing Josef Martinez who quickly found Eric Remedi on the left side of the box where the Argentine midfielder ripped another shot on goal but was again blocked by Crépeau. An attempted clearance was immediately met by a diving header from Pity Martinez, but Crépeau came up with his third save on the play.

Atlanta United (6-3-2, 20 points) returns to action Sunday, May 19 against New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena (5 p.m. EST, FS1, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game).

MATCH INFO

Atlanta United 1, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0

BC Place

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

STATS

Shots: 17-7 Atlanta

Shots on Target: 6-2 Atlanta

Corner kicks: 5-4 Vancouver

Fouls committed: 15-13 Atlanta

Clearances: 17-10 Atlanta

Offside: 0-0

Possession: 54-46 Vancouver

Passing Accuracy: 82-82

SCORING SUMMARY

ATL - Josef Martinez 29' [HIGHLIGHT]

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

ATL - Franco Escobar 13' (yellow)

N - Ali Adnan 39' (yellow)

N - JoaquÃ-n Ardáiz 80' (yellow)

ATL - Eric Remedi 86' (yellow)

ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP

Brad Guzan; Leandro González Pirez, Franco Escobar, Florentin Pogna, Brek Shea; Jeff Larentowicz ©, Eric Remedi; Hector Villalba (Dion Pereira - 69'), Gonzalo Martinez (Miles Robinson - 82'), Justin Meram (Julian Gressel - 64'); Josef Martinez.

Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, Jon Gallagher, Romario Williams, Mikey Ambrose.

NCOUVER WHITECAPS FC STARTING LINEUP

Maxime Crépeau; Doneil Henry, Jakob Nerwinski, Ali Adnan, Erik Godoy; Hwang In-Beom, Russell Teibert (Andy Rose - 69'), Felipe (JoaquÃ-n Ardáiz - 78'); Lucas Venuto, Lass (Victor Giro - 64'), Fredy Montero ©.

Substitutes not used: Derek Cornelius, Brett Levis, Scott Sutter, Zac MacMath.

ATTENDANCE

16,138

OFFICIALS

Baldomero Toledo (referee), Philippe Briere (assistant), Cory Richardson (assistant), Joe Dickerson (fourth), Alejandro Mariscal (R), Mauricio Navarro (assistant R)

TEAM NOTES

With its fifth straight clean sheet win, Atlanta United set the MLS record for most consecutive shutout victories

Josef Martinez scored his team leading fifth goal of the season

Justin Meram and Florentin Pogba each made their first start for Atlanta United. It was Pogba's first appearance in MLS play.

Jeff Larentowicz made his 401st appearance and 377th start in MLS, both ranking third all-time among field players

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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