MLS Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United Tops D.C. United 2-0

Published on July 21, 2019 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release


ATLANTA - Atlanta United defeated D.C. United 2-0 Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in front of 44,405 fans. Pity Martinez scored the game-winning goal in the 89th minute while Josef Martinez scored his 16th goal of the season to seal the victory and extend his scoring streak to seven consecutive matches, tying the third-longest streak in league history. With the win, Atlanta reached second place in the Eastern Conference and extended its home unbeaten streak to nine matches.

Atlanta assembled a dominant first half filled with several close scoring opportunities but couldn't find the back of the net despite holding 72% possession and firing nine shots. As Atlanta continued to pressure D.C. in the second half, Josef had an opportunity to hand Atlanta the lead in the 72nd minute when he was brought down in the penalty area by Russell Canouse. However, Martinez's penalty attempt curled over the crossbar for just his second penalty miss of his MLS career.

Both sides pushed for the breakthrough deep into the second half as goalkeeper Brad Guzan made a crucial diving save in the 75th minute to preserve the tie. Emerson Hyndman nearly picked out the top right corner with a shot from the right side of the box in the 87th minute, but his attempt creeped just over the goal.

Atlanta finally found the go-ahead goal in the 89th minute when Julian Gressel played Darlington Nagbe into the 18-yard box down the right side. Just before reaching the end line, Nagbe sent a looping ball into the middle of the six-yard box where an unmarked Pity Martinez buried a header into the net.

Minutes later in stoppage time, the Martinez's connected for the game-clinching goal. Pity Martinez received a pass inside the center circle with a defender on his back and quickly lobbed the ball over D.C.'s backline. Josef Martinez caught up to the loose ball and dribbled into the box where he chipped Bill Hamid.

Atlanta United (11-8-3, 36 points) returns to action Friday, July 26 against Los Angeles Football Club at Banc of California Stadium (10:00 p.m. EST, ESPN, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game).

MATCH INFO

Atlanta United 2, D.C. United 0

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta, Georgia

STATS

Shots: 18-7 Atlanta

Shots on Target: 6-3 Atlanta

Corner kicks: 8-2 Atlanta

Fouls committed: 8-8 Tied

Clearances: 33-8 D.C.

Offside: 4-1 Atlanta

Possession: 71-29 Atlanta

Passing Accuracy: 86-67 Atlanta

SCORING SUMMARY

ATL - Pity Martinez (Darlington Nagbe, Julian Gressel) 89' [HIGHLIGHT]

ATL - Josef Martinez (Pity Martinez) 90+2' [HIGHLIGHT]

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

ATL - Leandro González Pirez 81' (yellow)

ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP

Brad Guzan ©; Leandro González Pirez, Miles Robinson, Franco Escobar; Julian Gressel, Emerson Hyndman (Jeff Larentowicz - 90+1'), Eric Remedi, Darlington Nagbe, Justin Meram (Dion Pereira - 83'); Josef MartÃ-nez, Brandon Vázquez (Pity MartÃ-nez - 65').

Substitutes not used: Mohammed Adams, Alec Kann, Michael Parkhurst, Ezequiel Barco.

D.C. UNITED STARTING LINEUP

Bill Hamid; Federic Brillant, Steven Birnbaum ©, Donovan Pines; Joseph Mora, Leonardo Jara (Ulises Segura - 77'), Russell Canouse, Junior Moreno; Paul Arriola, Lucas Rodriguez, Luciano Acosta (Quincy Amarikwa - 88').

Substitutes not used: Chris Seitz, Marquinhos Pedroso, Jalen Robinson, Chris Durkin, Griffin Yow.

ATTENDANCE

44,405

OFFICIALS

Allen Chapman (referee), Jason White (assistant), Micheal Barwegen (assistant), Nima Saghafi (fourth), Jorge Gonzalez (VAR), Robert Schaap (assistant VAR)

TEAM NOTES

With his 16th goal of the season, Josef Martinez scored in his seventh consecutive match.

It's tied for the third-longest streak in MLS history along with Raul Diaz Arce (Colorado), Wolde Harris (Colorado), Carlos Ruiz (FC Dallas). Martinez owns the longest streak in league history of nine consecutive matches with Diego Valeri.

Pity Martinez scored his third goal of the season and recorded his sixth assist, tied for the team lead with Julian Gressel

Julian Gressel became the club's all-time assists leader with his 29th career assist. It was his sixth of the season, tied with Pity Martinez for the team lead

Atlanta extended its home unbeaten streak to nine matches for the club's third-longest streak

Brad Guzan picked up his league-leading 10th clean sheet of the season.

Check out the Atlanta United FC Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 21, 2019


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