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Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United Draws 1-1 with FC Cincinnati in MLS Home Opener

March 10, 2019 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release


ATLANTA - Atlanta United tied FC Cincinnati 1-1 Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in its MLS home opener in front of 70,382 fans. Josef Martinez scored his first goal of the season and his 51st goal in the MLS regular season, his 55th overall with Atlanta.

In its first match at home since winning MLS Cup, Atlanta wasted no time scoring as last year's MVP and Golden Boot winner Martinez found the back of the net less than five minutes into the match. Julian Gressel picked up the ball on the right side and dribbled across midfield before sending a through ball into the 18-yard-box. Martinez split Cincinnati's center backs and slowed his run to position himself behind the ball without taking a touch. The Venezuelan then blasted a shot past goalkeeper Spencer Richey's near post to put Atlanta ahead 1-0.

Atlanta pushed for a second goal and nearly scored in the 57th minute when Martinez received a ball inside the six-yard-box, shuffled by a pair of defenders and took a close-range shot, but the attempt was blocked by Richey. Atlanta sent in 27 crosses and forced 23 clearances from Cincinnati's defense while holding more than 66 percent of possession.

Cincinnati equalized late through Roland Lamah in the 86th minute. After coming on as a substitute in his team debut, Kenny Saief dribbled through the midfield and delivered a pin-point pass to Lamah in the penalty area who scored with a low shot to the far post. Former Atlanta United left back Greg Garza entered in the second half to make his first appearance for FC Cincinnati and logged 19 minutes.

Atlanta United returns to action Wednesday, March 13 (8 p.m. EST, Yahoo! Sports, Univision Deportes) in the second leg of its Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League quarterfinal tie against C.F. Monterrey at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

MATCH INFO

Atlanta United 1, FC Cincinnati 1

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta, Georgia

STATS

Shots: 10-4 Atlanta

Shots on Target: 4-1 Atlanta

Corner kicks: 5-0 Atlanta

Fouls committed: 8-6 Atlanta

Clearances: 23-9 Cincinnati

Offside: 8-0 Cincinnati

Possession: 66-34 Atlanta

Passing Accuracy: 86-74 Atlanta

SCORING SUMMARY

ATL - Josef Martinez 5' (Julian Gressel) [HIGHLIGHT]

FCC - Roland Lamah 86' (Kenny Saief) [HIGHLIGHT]

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

ATL - Leandro Gonzalez Pirez 11' (yellow)

ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP

Brad Guzan; Leandro González Pirez, Michael Parkhurst ©, Miles Robinson; Brek Shea, Jeff Larentowicz, Eric Remedi (Kevin Kratz - 90'), Julian Gressel; Ezequiel Barco (Darlington Nagbe - 59'), Josef Martinez, Gonzalo Martinez (Andrew Carleton - 74').

Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, Mikey Ambrose, Hector Villalba, Romario Williams

FC CINCINNATI STARTING LINEUP

Spencer Richey; Mathieu Deplagne, Kendall Waston ©, Nick Hagglund, Alvas Powell (Greg Garza - 71'); Leonardo Bertone, Victor Ulloa; Roland Lamah, Kekuta Manneh (Darren Mattocks - 58'), Allan Cruz (Kenny Saief - 73'); Fanendo Adi.

Substitutes not used: Caleb Stanko, Corben Bone, Jimmy Hague, Eric Alexander

ATTENDANCE

70,382

OFFICIALS

Allen Chapman (referee), Jeremy Hanson (assistant), Brian Dunn (assistant), Joseph Dickerson (fourth), Edvin Jurisevic (VAR), Jeff Meschik (assistant VAR)

TEAM NOTES

Josef Martinez scored his 51st goal in the MLS regular season, his 55th overall with Atlanta (56th career regular season appearance, 53rd start)

Jeff Larentowicz made his 393 appearance, keeping him third all-time in MLS history, and his 372nd start which ties him with Steve Ralston on MLS's all-time list.

Julian Gressel recorded his first assist of the MLS season. It was his 24th assist with Atlanta.

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