Atlanta United put on another show for the second time in six days at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as the club defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 4-1 with a hat trick from leading scorer, Josef Martinez. Copyright Altanta United.
Atlanta United dominated the 10-man Vancouver Whitecaps with a 4-1 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The big moment in the match came early in the first half. Vancouver went down a man in the eighth minute when team captain Kendell Waston was shown a red card for violent conduct. Referee Ismail Elfath went to VAR to review the play that sent Atlanta defender Leandro González Pírez to the ground with a raised elbow to the head.
Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson expressed his opinion after the match when he said, “For us to play down, or play 11 men against 11 in Atlanta is very difficult, we knew that. We had a game plan going into the game that was totally affected after five minutes.”
The play can be reviewed via twitter.
This one just couldn't wait.
It's time for 'You Make the Call'. #ATLvVAN pic.twitter.com/A7MuGbsv1m
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 18, 2018
Atlanta United head coach Geraldo “Tata” Martino also commented on how the Vancouver red card impacted the game, “Decisive. Any game where there is a player that gets sent off that early, and furthermore, on the same play we have a chance to score a goal, that is a before and after for the game.”
A penalty kick was awarded with the red card, and Atlanta forward Josef Martínez stepped up to drive a clean strike after getting Vancouver goalie Stefan Marinovic to commit. The goal would be one of three on the night for Josef Martínez who picked up his fourth MLS hat trick. His next hat trick will tie the MLS hat trick record, in just his 23rd MLS match.
As easy as 1⃣-2⃣-3⃣.
Go on, @JosefMartinez17. #ATLvVAN pic.twitter.com/u8y1wfo2Aw
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 18, 2018
With Vancouver a man down, Atlanta was unable to score again in the first half as Vancouver stayed organized and compact defensively. Tata Martino, spoke to the missed opportunities in the first half when he said, “I was a little worried in the first half but it wasn’t because of the chances we were missing.” He went on to say, “It was more because after the expulsion of Waston I didn’t think we handled the game the way that we should have. I think that we should have circulated the ball more from side to side and had more possession. I think that we didn’t take enough advantage of the width of Julian Gressel and Chris McCann on the sides. I thought that when we did, we created good chances. I was also worried when Jeff got a yellow card.”
Atlanta had several excellent scoring chances that resulted in shots that were not on goal and just missed. Miguel Almirón had several wide-open looks that he was unable to convert. On the night Almirón had eight shots, three were blocked and five were not on target.
The second half Atlanta quickened the pace and looked to close out the match. Vancouver was able to keep them out of the net until the 58th minute when they pushed across an own goal from a Julian Gressel low cross delivered towards the back post for a streaking Martínez.
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) March 18, 2018
In typical lightning fast United attack, just two minutes later in the 60th minute, Atlanta struck for a third time. The match was put out of reach when Almirón measured a beautifully weighted pass to Martínez, when had timed his run to perfection. Martínez was left with only the goalie Marinovic to beat and crush a beautiful shot in to put Atlanta in commanding position.
Make that 6️⃣ goals in 2️⃣ games at @MBStadium#UniteAndConquer pic.twitter.com/NDg0UChb6f
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) March 18, 2018
Vancouver pulled back a goal late. For the second match in a row Atlanta United has conceded a goal late in the match. Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan spoke of the need to develop better instincts, “In these moments, we still need to be better in terms of closing out games and being smarter in certain situations.
The final goal in the 88th minute by Martínez has the distinction of being a part of a first for young homegrown, Andrew Carleton, as he provided the assist. Carleton, coming in as a sub for the second time this season, was able to generate an excellent cross from the 18-yard box that showcased Martínez’s magnificent aerial skills. Martínez headed the pass back across the goal over the out reached hands of Marinovic. After the match Martínez said this about his young teammate, “If he’s giving me assists, I’m happy for him. He’s a player who’s doing things well. He’s got a lot of room to grow but he just has to keep doing things the way he (has been). With his head in the right spot (as he is) working for his place on the team, which I think he is earning.”
From the Homegrown.
For the Hat trick.First MLS assist for @andrewcarleton7 to @JosefMartinez17 ? pic.twitter.com/LZnMgYebzc
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) March 18, 2018
Atlanta has the next weekend off, as several players head out for international duty. They resume MLS play the following week in Minnesota to face fellow 2017 expansion side Minnesota United. Last year, when they met, Atlanta won their first ever MLS match with a 6-1 blowout in the snow.
