MLS Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United Wins 1-0 vs. Inter Miami CF

Published on September 29, 2021 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release


ATLANTA - Atlanta United defeated Inter Miami CF 1-0 Wednesday night in front of 42,519 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Josef Martínez scored the game's deciding goal, which was his 100th across all competitions with Atlanta United. Martínez became the fastest player in league history to reach the century mark, accomplishing the feat in just 125 matches. With the win, Atlanta moved above the playoff line heading into the weekend.

Atlanta was awarded a penalty in the 76th minute when George Bello attempted a cross from the left side, but Leandro Gonzalez Pirez was called for a handball. Atlanta's all-time leading scorer stepped to the spot and drilled the ball into the lower right side of the goal, sending Miami's Nick Marsman the other way. He became the 16th player in MLS history to reach 100 goals in all competitions, and just the fifth to do it with one club.

Atlanta was threatening to score throughout the second half leading up to the penalty decision. In the 54th minute, Ezequiel Barco put a free kick on frame and a minute later Martínez had a shot hit the left side netting. Just before the penalty, Miles Robinson turned Gonzalo Higuain over in the midfield and found Jake Mulraney in space on the left side. The Irish winger cut the ball on to his right foot and unleashed a shot on goal, but it was hit right at Marsman.

The match featured an energetic opening 45 minutes with each side making hard runs but struggling to find a clear scoring opportunity. Atlanta had the best chance of the first half in the 36th minute. Robinson played a pass to Barco at the top of Miami's penalty area where the Argentine one-timed a through ball to Luiz Araújo down the right side. Araújo put a left-footed shot on frame, but goalkeeper Nick Marsman spilled it in front of goal. Martínez pounced on the loose ball, but his attempt was hit over the crossbar.

Atlanta (10-8-9, 39 points) returns to action Saturday, Oct. 2 when it travels to face CF Montreal at Stade Saputo (7:00 p.m., Bally Sports South, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game, La Mejor).

MATCH INFO

Atlanta United 1, Inter Miami CF 0

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta, Georgia

STATS

Shots: 19-7 Atlanta

Shots on Target: 7-0 Atlanta

Corner kicks: 8-4 Atlanta

Fouls committed: 13-10 Miami

Offside: 3-3

Possession: 62-38 Atlanta

Passing Accuracy: 90-81 Atlanta

SCORING SUMMARY

ATL - Josef Martínez 78' [HIGHLIGHT]

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

MIA - Leandro Gonzalez Pirez (yellow) 24'

MIA - Blaise Matuidi (yellow) 34'

MIA - Kieran Gibbs (yellow) 48'

MIA - Jay Chapman (yellow) 90'

ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP

Brad Guzan ©; Anton Walkes (Jake Mulraney - 67'), Alan Franco, Miles Robinson, George Bello, Brooks Lennon; Santiago Sosa, Marcelino Moreno (Matheus Rossetto - 46'); Ezequiel Barco, Luiz Araújo (George Campbell - 82'), Josef Martínez (Ronald Hernandez - 90').

Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, Alex De John, Mo Adams, Machop Chol, Jackson Conway.

INTER MIAMI CF STARTING LINEUP

Nick Marsman; Kieran Gibbs (Brek Shea - 72'), Christian Makoun, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez ©, Kevin Leerdam; Lewis Morgan, Blaise Matuidi (Indiana Vassilev - 83'), Rodolfo Pizzaro, Jay Chapman; Gonzalo Higuain, Robbie Robinson (Julián Carranza - 83').

Substitutes not used: John McCarthy, Federico Higuain, Drake Callender, Edison Azcona, Sami Guediri.

OFFICIALS

Ted Unkel (referee), Corey Rockwell (assistant), Jeremy Kieso (assistant), Sergii Demianchuk (fourth), Chris Penso (VAR), Jozef Batko (AVAR).

TEAM NOTES

Josef Martínez scored his 100th goal for Atlanta United across all competitions

He became the fastest in league history to score 100 goals, doing so in 125 matches

It was Martínez's 10th goal of the 2021 season, which leads the team

Alan Franco led the team with five interceptions

ATTENDANCE

42,519

Check out the Atlanta United FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from September 29, 2021


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