Atlanta United score three goals in the final 20 minutes to defeat San Jose Earthquakes 4-3 Saturday night at Avaya Stadium. (photo: Atlanta United)
Atlanta come back down two goals to take home all three points
Atlanta came from behind to win a game after trailing by two goals for the first time in club history. The last time Atlanta erased a two-goal deficit to earn a point was against Philadelphia Union (Aug. 26, 2017). Atlanta scored three goals in the final 20 minutes.
The win sets a new MLS record in the post-shootout era, as Atlanta won its 10th road win of the season. The victory locked in a top four finish in the Eastern Conference.
Atlanta United captain and defender Michael Parkhurst talked about how the match changed. It happened in the 65th minute when a San Jose goal was wiped out when VAR confirmed that San Jose midfielder Magnus Eriksson had handled the ball in the box. When Josef Martínez buried the penalty, Parkhurst felt the change, “It [gave]us momentum. As soon as that goes in, we get the feeling we’re destined to get at least a point out of this game.”
Atlanta Head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino talked of the team character in a tough situation, “I think it shows that the team had a lot of spirit tonight and that’s what we can rescue from this game. We’re able to fight back and get the comeback but if we would have played like that against a team that is fighting on top of the table, I think we could have lost this game by a few goals. There are some things to work on.”
Atlanta United score three goals in the final 20 minutes to defeat San Jose Earthquakes 4-3 Saturday night at Avaya Stadium. (photo: Atlanta United)
Scoring Details
San Jose 1 – Atlanta United 0 – Nick Lima (Shea Salinas) 13′
San Jose defender Nick Lima made a run into the box to the far post and connected with a header from a Shea Salinas a cross.
San Jose 2 – Atlanta United 0 – Danny Hoesen 43′
San Jose forward Danny Hoesen, beat Atlanta defender Michael Parkhurst on a long through ball. Hoesen’s first shot was saved by goalkeeper Brad Guzan, however, on the rebound Hoesen chipped a cheeky ball over Guzan’s head into the back of the net.
San Jose 2 – Atlanta United 1 – Hector Villalba (Julian Gressel) 45′ + 2′
Atlanta was surging forward on a counterattack, when Julian Gressel sent a cross to the far edge of the box for Tito Villalba. Villalba crushed a volley into the upper right corner that left no chance for San Jose keeper JT Marcinkowski.
Oh. My. @TitoVillalba15 ?
Looks like he's going for back-to-back goals of the year! https://t.co/KHfMs1w2SD
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) September 20, 2018
San Jose 3 – Atlanta United 1 – Vako 58′
San Jose Vako Qazaishvili weaved through the Atlanta defense leaving three defenders bewildered. He took a shot at close range to beat Guzan in the left corner.
San Jose 3 – Atlanta United 2 – Josef Martínez (PK) 69′
Atlanta was awarded the penalty on a handling infraction on Magnus Eriksson. Martínez did his trademark stutter-step followed by a gallop and beat the goalie to the right.
Cool as always ❄️@JosefMartinez17 with goal #29 on the season https://t.co/JtGhqPXidJ
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) September 20, 2018
San Jose 3 – Atlanta United 3 – Miguel Almirón 73′
Miguel Almirón and Josef Martínez played give-and-go on the counter. It looked as though Martínez might have been fouled on the take down in the box. However, the referee called “play on”, Almirón collected the loose ball and pushed it past Marcinkowski.
This game ?
Miggy makes it 3-3!!! https://t.co/VURVwD8Csn
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) September 20, 2018
San Jose 3 – Atlanta United 4 – Josef Martinez (Miguel Almirón, Ezequiel Barco) 90′ + 4′
The game winner came from Leandro González Pírez clearing to Ezequiel Barco, who played Almirón free along the left wing. Almirón sent a cross in front of the goal that Martinez rose and slammed header back into the net.
ARE YOU KIDDING?! ?@JosefMartinez17 with the game-winner in stoppage time! https://t.co/EpISdGbOD1
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) September 20, 2018
Line-ups
Atlanta United
- GK: Brad Guzan
- Defenders (4): Chris McCann, Leandro González Pírez, Michael Parkhurst, Franco Escobar (Kevin Kratz – 71’)
- Midfielders (3): Eric Remedi, Jeff Larentowicz (Ezequiel Barco – HT), Julian Gressel
- Forwards (3): Tito Villalba (Brandon Vazquez – 87’), Josef Martinez, Miguel Almirón
Unused Substitutes
- Alec Kann, George Bello, Miles Robinson, Romario Williams
San Jose Earthquakes
- GK: JT Marcinkowski
- Defenders (4): Nick Lima, Guram Kashia, Harold Cummings, Shea Salinas
- Midfielders (4): Luis Felipe, Anibal Godoy (Florian Jungwirth – 83’), Jackson Yueill (Tommy Thompson – 76’), Magnus Erikkson
- Forward (2): Vako Qazaishvili, Danny Hoesen (Chris Wondolowski – 61’)
Unused Substitutes
- Andrew Tarbell, FJoel Qwiberg, Yeferson Quintana, Jahmir Hyka
Up Next
Atlanta United return home this weekend to host Real Salt Lake at Mercedes Benz Stadium at 07:00 PM.
